Karnataka Chief Minister completes eight years in office and moves closer to national budget presentation milestone
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has created political history by becoming the longest-serving Chief Minister in Karnataka, completing a total of eight years in office across two terms.
The achievement comes just days before the Congress government in Karnataka completes three years in power on May 20. Amid ongoing political discussions over leadership within the ruling party, Siddaramaiah has now added another major milestone to his political career by surpassing all previous records held by former Karnataka Chief Ministers.
With this feat, Siddaramaiah has overtaken the long-standing record previously held by former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs and emerged as the only leader in Karnataka’s history to serve as Chief Minister for eight years.
Siddaramaiah Surpasses Historical Karnataka Record
Siddaramaiah began his political journey in 1977 by contesting the Mysore Taluk Board elections and is now approaching 50 years in active politics.
His first tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister began in 2013 and lasted for five years and four days. He returned to power in 2023 and is set to complete three years in his second term on May 20, taking his total tenure beyond eight years.
Political observers often compare Siddaramaiah’s welfare-oriented governance style with that of Devaraj Urs due to their focus on backward classes, Dalits and minority communities.
Although Siddaramaiah has previously rejected direct comparisons, several of his welfare schemes and social justice policies are viewed as carrying forward Urs’ legacy in Karnataka politics.
Karnataka CM Also Eyes National Budget Presentation Record
Apart from his record tenure as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah is also nearing a major national milestone in budget presentations.
So far, Siddaramaiah has presented the Karnataka state budget 12 times. The current national record for presenting the highest number of budgets is held by Vajubhai Vala, who presented 18 budgets during his political career in Gujarat.
Supporters of Siddaramaiah believe he could soon equal or surpass that national record if he continues in office and presents future state budgets.
Historic Karnataka Leadership Records Rewritten
Before Siddaramaiah, veteran Congress leader S. Nijalingappa and Devaraj Urs were among the longest-serving leaders in Karnataka’s political history.
Nijalingappa served as Chief Minister during two different periods before and after the formation of Karnataka state, while Devaraj Urs held office for a combined period of over seven years.
Siddaramaiah has now officially moved ahead of both leaders in terms of total tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister, creating a new political benchmark in the state.
