Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be creating a record by tabling his 16th state budget this March, the highest number of budgets in the state. However, the possibility of his breaking another record as the longest-serving chief minister of the state on December 21 this year, is a reason for sure to disappoint his deputy D.K. Shivakumar.
Weeks after Siddaramaiah hinted at a 50:50 power-sharing pact between him and Shivakumar, the chief minister's own admission of his intent to create new "records" has turned into a source of despair and annoyance to the CM-in-waiting.
The Kuruba strongman and a mass leader, Siddaramaiah, during an interview to a private TV channel earlier this week, revealed that he would seriously consider beating former chief minister late D. Devaraj Urs' record as the longest-serving CM. Urs had served as the chief minister for seven years and seven months.
Siddaramaiah, who has fashioned his political career on the lines of Urs' Ahinda politics, said, "I have already broken records by tabling 15 budgets, by serving a full term as the CM (2013-2018) just like Urs. I have been in politics and as a minister for the last 40 years. It has been a long time in politics and it was possible because of the people’s blessings. I strongly believe in breaking records.”
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Asked about his political future, Siddaramaiah said, “I had mentally prepared to retire from electoral politics after the 2023 Assembly elections. But I am under pressure from people, well-wishers and friends to continue in politics. I am confident of completing a full term yet again,” said Siddaramaiah, adding that his party would retain power in 2028.
Siddaramaiah 's cabinet colleagues—Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Industries Minister M.B. Patil— were quick to endorse the chief minister.
"Siddaramaiah will complete a full term as the CM. I sincerely hope that he breaks the record as the longest chief minister," said Parameshwar, a top contender for the CM's post who is miffed with Shivakumar for stalling a dinner meeting of SC and ST minister he had planned to host.
Patil seconded the fact and said Siddaramaiah would also lead the party in the 2028 elections.
Meanwhile, the Ahinda leader's statement has not only rankled the opposition BJP but also his rivals within the party.
Shivakumar, also the KPCC chief, is wary of the Siddaramaiah faction trying to dislodge him from the party chief's post to weaken his position in the party, in a bid to create a level playing field for all the CM aspirants.
Shivakumar, in an interview to the same TV channel, said he trusted nobody and gave a cryptic reply to a question on his elevation to the CM's post. " Efforts might fail, but prayers never do," said the Vokkaliga strongman, who is known for temple runs, which are ridiculed as 'soft Hindutva' by his critics.
When his detractors—Parameshwar, PWD minister Satish Jarkiholi, and Cooperation minister K.N. Rajanna—were busy holding secret meetings with senior leaders in Delhi, trying to convince them to replace the KPCC chief, Shivakumar chose to take a holy dip at the Mahakumbh Mela at Prayagraj with his family and spiritual guru. He also attended the Kumbh Mela at T Narasipura in Mysuru (confluence of rivers Kaveri, Kapila and Spatika Sarovara).
"I took part in the Kumbh Mela at Triveni Sangama at T. Narsipura, performed ‘Ganga arati’, and prayed to God. I am overwhelmed with devotion after taking the holy dip,” posted Shivakumar.