Siddaramaiah Meets Rahul Gandhi After Resignation, Congress Leaders Hail His Legacy and Commitment

New Delhi/Bengaluru, May 2026 : A day after stepping down as Karnataka Chief Minister, veteran Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday met senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at 10 Janpath, the residence of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, amid significant political developments in Karnataka.

The meeting took place shortly after Siddaramaiah’s resignation from the Chief Minister’s post was formally accepted by Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. Though he has stepped down, Siddaramaiah has been asked to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until the Congress finalises alternative leadership arrangements in the state.

Sources said Siddaramaiah received a warm welcome from Rahul Gandhi during the meeting. Rahul Gandhi greeted him with a handshake before embracing him, and both leaders later posed for photographs, signalling solidarity and mutual respect amid the transition in Karnataka leadership.

According to party insiders, Siddaramaiah expressed gratitude to Rahul Gandhi and the Congress high command for giving him the opportunity to serve as Karnataka Chief Minister for two terms. Sources added that he thanked the party leadership for their trust, which enabled him to become one of the longest-serving Chief Ministers in Karnataka’s political history with nearly eight continuous years in office.

The discussions reportedly focused not only on the immediate leadership transition in Karnataka but also on the future political roadmap for the Congress party in the state. Sources indicated that the meeting explored strategies to maintain organisational unity, strengthen governance and prepare the party for future electoral challenges.

Following his interaction with Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah also met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The meeting was attended by senior Congress leaders including former Karnataka minister K. J. George, former minister Priyank Kharge and Legislative Council member Yathindra Siddaramaiah.

Though details of the discussions were not officially disclosed, party leaders later praised Siddaramaiah’s contribution to Karnataka politics and the Congress organisation.

Taking to social media platform X after the meeting, Mallikarjun Kharge described Siddaramaiah as a leader whose public life reflected dignity, compassion and a deep commitment to social justice.

“From humble beginnings to serving Karnataka twice as Chief Minister, he remained steadfast in his commitment to equality, harmony and the welfare of the marginalised,” Kharge wrote.

“Karnataka and the Congress party remain grateful for his contribution to public life. Wishing him good health and the very best in his continued service to the people,” he added.

Senior Congress MLA and former minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also issued a strong statement praising Siddaramaiah as a towering mass leader who consistently stood with the poor, oppressed and marginalised sections of society.

Rao said Siddaramaiah’s resignation demonstrated his loyalty to party discipline and ideological commitment, stressing that power and political office were never his primary concern.

“By resigning from the Chief Minister’s post while remaining fully committed to the party high command and its decisions, he has proved that he is not a leader attached to power or position, but a statesman who bows to party discipline and principles,” Rao stated.

Recalling Siddaramaiah’s welfare initiatives, Rao highlighted the landmark Anna Bhagya scheme, which aimed to provide food security to poor families across Karnataka. He said Siddaramaiah’s personal understanding of poverty and hunger inspired the scheme, which later became a model discussed nationally.

“He earned a permanent place in people’s hearts as ‘Annaramayya’ by ensuring food security for lakhs of families across the state,” Rao said.

The Congress leader also recalled Siddaramaiah’s final official public event as Chief Minister — the inauguration of Karnataka’s “108 Centralised Command and Control Centre” aimed at improving emergency healthcare services.

“That turned out to be the final official programme he attended as Chief Minister, which now feels deeply emotional. Until his very last moment in office, his administration remained committed to the health and welfare of ordinary people,” Rao remarked.

He further praised Siddaramaiah’s governance style, saying the former Chief Minister firmly opposed communal politics while implementing the Congress government’s five guarantee schemes aimed at economic and social welfare.

Rejecting opposition criticism over Karnataka’s financial condition, Rao dismissed allegations that the state had entered a debt crisis under Siddaramaiah’s leadership, calling such claims politically motivated and disconnected from reality.

“In his long political career, Siddaramaiah has shown what it means to live as a true socialist, and his life remains an inspiration for all of us,” Rao added.

Rao also expressed hope that Siddaramaiah would continue to remain active in Karnataka politics even after stepping down as Chief Minister and would guide the party in strengthening governance rooted in communal harmony, social justice and inclusive development.

Team Maverick.