Siddaramaiah Set to Break Record as Karnataka's Longest-Serving Chief Minister

Historic Milestone for Siddaramaiah

On January 6, Siddaramaiah will surpass the record of D. Devaraj Urs, who served as Karnataka's Chief Minister for the longest duration. He attributed this significant achievement to the blessings of the public.

While addressing reporters, Siddaramaiah highlighted a key difference between himself and Urs, noting that Urs belonged to the ruling class, whereas he hails from a socially backward community, specifically the Kuruba or shepherd community.

Reflections on His Journey

When asked if he ever imagined breaking this record, Siddaramaiah admitted that he had not even envisioned becoming a minister, let alone the Chief Minister. He shared, "Initially, I only aspired to become a member of the Taluk Board and eventually an MLA. I have won eight elections so far, but I have also faced defeats in two parliamentary and two assembly elections, totaling 13 elections throughout my life, including Taluk elections."

Comparison with Devaraj Urs

In response to questions about comparisons with Urs, Siddaramaiah stated, "Devaraj Urs was not from a socially backward community; he was indeed from the ruling class. He belonged to a community with a smaller population but was a popular leader."

The Chief Minister emphasized that there is no basis for comparison between him and Urs, noting that the political landscape has changed significantly since Urs's time. He remarked that Urs directly collected funds from the public for his elections, saying, "In 1962, people contributed money and voted for him. Times have changed now."

Breaking Records in Perspective

When questioned about the possibility of breaking Urs's record, Siddaramaiah remarked, "Records are meant to be broken." He drew a parallel to sports, likening his achievement to Virat Kohli surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's records in cricket.