Yathindra backs father Siddaramaiah's decision to quit electoral politics by 2028

Karnataka Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Monday said his father and veteran Congress leader Siddaramaiah remains firm on his decision not to contest the 2028 Assembly polls. He also said as a son, he has no intention of persuading him otherwise, prioritising his father's health as he approaches 80-years of age.

Yathindra's remarks come a day after Siddaramaiah had announced that he would opt out of the 2028 Assembly polls, citing his advancing age, and a political landscape that has become "deeply polluted".

However, Yathidra said that the former Chief Minister would remain deeply involved in active politics, continuing to raise his voice for the vulnerable sections of society.

"Earlier too, my father had said the same thing, even when he was the Chief Minister, he said he would not contest the 2028 Assembly polls. So, he has already decided and we should all respect his decision," Yathindra told reporters here.

Addressing the mounting pressure from Siddaramaiah's followers to reconsider his decision, he said, despite quitting electoral politics, his father would continue to remain in active politics and raise his voice on the issues concerning the exploited and vulnerable sections of society.

Asked if he would convince Siddaramaiah to contest in the next polls, Yathindra said, "once his father makes a firm decision, no one can change it."

"I too, as a son, want my father to focus on his health when he is nearing 80 years of age, instead of neglecting his health for work and other things. So I wouldn't convince him," he added.

Siddaramaiah is currently an MLA from the Varuna Assembly segment in Mysuru. He resigned as Chief Minister on May 28, following instructions from the Congress high command, paving the way for D K Shivakumar to take over as CM of the state.

Following his resignation, Siddaramaiah had said that he "politely declined" the Congress high command's Rajya Sabha seat offer, asserting that he would remain in state politics and was not interested in national politics.

Earlier, announcing the 2023 polls to be his last, Siddaramaiah returned to his home constituency of Varuna and won from there again. He had then said this might be his last polls, but he would continue to remain in politics thereafter.

(Source: PTI)