Jairam Ramesh Praises Siddaramaiah's Political Legacy in Karnataka
In a recent tribute, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh recognized Siddaramaiah as a pivotal figure in Karnataka's political landscape. He praised Siddaramaiah's extensive career, highlighting his commitment to social justice and his impressive record of presenting 17 state budgets. As the longest-serving Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah's influence spans over four decades, marking significant contributions to governance and leadership transitions in the state. Amid ongoing changes in leadership, discussions regarding cabinet reshuffles and organizational matters continue, showcasing the dynamic political environment in Karnataka. Read on to explore more about Siddaramaiah's legacy and the current political scenario.
May 29, 2026, 17:10 IST
Recognition of Siddaramaiah's Leadership
On Friday, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh hailed Siddaramaiah, the outgoing Chief Minister of Karnataka, as one of the most influential figures in the state's political history. He commended Siddaramaiah for his administrative skills, commitment to social justice, and his ability to gracefully manage leadership transitions over a political career spanning four decades. In a post on X, Ramesh highlighted that Siddaramaiah's extensive political journey and his presentation of 17 state budgets reflect his stature and contributions to Karnataka's governance.
Siddaramaiah's Commitment to Social Justice
Ramesh praised Siddaramaiah for promoting social justice, secularism, and scientific thinking throughout his political career. Notably, Siddaramaiah is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka, with over eight years in office across two separate terms from 2013-2018 and 2023-2026. Ramesh noted that Siddaramaiah has been a highly influential figure in Karnataka politics for more than four decades, which is an extraordinary achievement in itself.
Impressive Budgetary Contributions
Ramesh pointed out that Siddaramaiah has presented 17 budgets in the state, which is just one less than the record set by Gujarat's Vajubhai Vala and one more than the achievement of Dr. Asim Dasgupta in West Bengal. All of his 17 budgets have been remarkable and impactful. Beyond his expertise in budget formulation and administration, Siddaramaiah has been a strong advocate for social justice and empowerment, a staunch supporter of secular values and traditions, and a vigorous proponent of rationality and scientific thought.
Leadership Transition in Karnataka
Amid the ongoing leadership transition in Karnataka, nameplates for Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister and D.K. Shivakumar as Deputy Chief Minister were seen being stored by staff in the Vidhana Soudha. Previously, Siddaramaiah had discussions with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal regarding cabinet reshuffles, Rajya Sabha elections, and other organizational matters.