‘You Can Lead Karnataka’s Development Journey, We Are With You’: Siddaramaiah Assures DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday extended his full support to newly elected Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader D.K. Shivakumar, expressing confidence in his ability to lead Karnataka and carry forward the state’s development agenda.
In a message shared on social media, Siddaramaiah congratulated Shivakumar on his election and described him as a committed leader with strong organisational skills and unwavering loyalty to the Congress.
“You are capable of taking Karnataka’s development journey forward. I believe you possess the commitment, vision and leadership required to guide the state,” Siddaramaiah said.
Recalling his close association with Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah said he had personally witnessed his determination and dedication to the party. He expressed hope that the people of Karnataka would benefit from Shivakumar’s leadership.
Highlighting the achievements of his government, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka had emerged as a national model in terms of per capita income and equitable distribution of wealth, opportunities and welfare benefits. He added that several initiatives launched by his administration were now being studied and adopted by other states.
“I am proud to have served the people of Karnataka as Chief Minister for eight years and to have contributed to building a prosperous, self-reliant and self-respecting state. The responsibility of taking this progress forward now rests on your shoulders,” he said.
Siddaramaiah also urged Shivakumar to provide strong governance at a time when people across the country were facing economic uncertainties and concerns about the future.
Referring to the Congress party’s recent electoral setbacks at the national level, Siddaramaiah said victories and defeats were part of politics, but ideological commitment must never be compromised.
“We may lose elections, but we should never lose our ideology. A party that abandons its principles risks losing its very identity,” he said, calling upon Congress leaders to work towards restoring the party’s past strength while continuing the state’s development.
He also voiced concern over what he described as growing attempts to divide society along caste and religious lines and stressed the need to uphold constitutional values such as equality, secularism and social justice.
“The Congress must continue to defend the ideals enshrined in the Constitution. The entire legislature party and the seven crore people of Karnataka will stand with you in this mission,” Siddaramaiah said while wishing Shivakumar success in his new role.
