Journalism of Courage
Siddaramaiah
INC
DOB
12 Aug 1948
Age
77 years
birth palce
Mysore
profession
Politician
Siddaramaiah biography
Congress leader Siddaramaiah became Karnataka's Chief Minister after his party won 136 out of 224 state assembly seats in May 2023. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar is his Deputy in the state. Siddaramaiah also held that position previously from 2013 to 2018, being only the second person to hold that office for a full five-year term.
Siddaramaiah was born on August 3, 1947 in Mysuru, Karnataka. He is a member of the Kuruba community, which is a Scheduled Tribe in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah studied at the University of Mysore, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.
Siddaramaiah was a member of various Janata Parivar factions before finally joining the Congress in 2006. Under the Janata Party and Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde, Siddaramaiah was appointed to his first government position in 1983. He became chairman of the erstwhile Kannada Watchdog Committee, to guard the interests of the Kannada language — a task he still considers close to his heart.
In 1996, Siddaramaiah became deputy CM under J H Patel, a post he held again in 2004 in a JD(S)-Congress coalition government. In 2006, however, Deve Gowda sacked him for floating a collective of backward castes, Dalits and minorities in the state called AHINDA, which was viewed as an anti-party activity.
Soon after, Siddaramaiah joined the Congress. In 2006, he won a bypoll from Chamundeshwari seat in his home district of Mysore by a narrow margin of 257 votes, against the combined might of the ruling JD(S)-BJP coalition.
A backward class leader with over five decades of political experience, Siddaramaiah, 75, is considered one of the three remaining mass leaders of Karnataka – alongside former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, 91, of the JD(S) and ex-CM B S Yediyurappa, 80, of the BJP.
As CM holding the Finance portfolio during his 2013-18 tenure, Siddaramaiah had implemented measures such as providing 7 kg of rice to members of BPL homes, setting up canteens selling food at low costs, allotment of substantial funds for free food grains and milk to the poor, and for schemes meant for backward classes, Dalits and minorities. Nearly 24% of the state budget was set aside annually for SC/ST communities.
Siddaramaiah has consciously projected an image of a rustic, down-to-earth politician who identifies with the problems of the downtrodden, including the Dalits.
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Siddaramaiah personal life
Education
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SIDDARAMAIAH NEWS
As Karnataka Congress leadership row drags on, hopes pinned on Delhi meet in January
December 24, 2025 3:36 am
While Mallikarjun Kharge blames the state unit for continued confusion, CM Siddaramaiah, in a pointed remark, says he will abide by Rahul Gandhi’s diktat
With Lokayukta police seeking time to file final report in Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah MUDA case, special court asks for case diary
December 18, 2025 9:46 pm
On October 9, the special court had sought completion in two months of the investigations by the Lokayukta police into the MUDA case.
Karnataka hate speech Bill exposes Congress’s failure to tackle hate politically
December 18, 2025 6:21 pm
Congress’s reliance on legal means to combat formidable political force of Sangh Parivar shows lack of foresight, organisational reach
As deadline for probe into grant of sites to Siddaramaiah's family looms, court lets Lokayukta police quiz former MUDA chief in prison
December 10, 2025 9:35 am
Former MUDA commissioner G T Dinesh Kumar has been in prison following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate over alleged money laundering linked to the illegal allotment of MUDA housing sites.
Why a Karnataka event on Gandhi-Narayana Guru offers a window on Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar play
December 04, 2025 9:39 am
Organised by Cong veteran Hariprasad in Mangaluru as a show of strength of OBC groups, the event, marking the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi-Narayana Guru meet, was attended by Siddaramiah, Venugopal, where Shivakumar was absent
How show of strength for backward groups offers glimpse into Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar power tussle
December 04, 2025 2:49 pm
The absence of Shivakumar from the event might have betrayed his weak standing among the backward communities, which form the bulwark of the party’s support in the state along with Dalits and minorities.
Second round of breakfast meeting between Siddaramaiah, D K Shivakumar in Bengaluru: 'Reaffirm our commitment to good governance'
December 02, 2025 2:49 pm
D K Shivakumar hosted Siddaramaiah at his residence and both leaders stressed their commitment to party decisions from the central leadership and discussed issues affecting farmers.
Breakfast meet, thaw in chill: Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar reach a truce amid power tussle
November 30, 2025 2:58 am
In a show of unity, both CM and Deputy CM say any decision on a change of guard in Karnataka will be taken by Congress high command and that they will abide by it
'No difference between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar': Karnataka CM, Dy CM put up united face after breakfast meet
November 29, 2025 2:48 pm
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar dismissed talk of a Congress rift after a breakfast meeting, asserting unity ahead of a possible no-confidence motion and outlining their strategy for the 2028 Assembly elections.
Karnataka power tussle: After call from Congress high command, Siddaramaiah invites Shivakumar for breakfast
November 29, 2025 5:00 am
Shivakumar on Friday said he was in no hurry to become the CM of Karnataka. “The party workers may be eager, but I am in no hurry. The party will take all the decisions," he said on the sidelines of an event.
SIDDARAMAIAH PHOTOS
Karnataka Election Results 2018: Congress offers support to JD(S) to form government
May 15, 2018 5:15 pm
Even though most exit polls predicted a hung assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to form the government in Karnataka with a simple majority, handing out a severe drubbing to the ruling Congress and relegating the Janata Dal (Secular) to the third spot.
Karnataka elections 2018: High-voltage poll campaigning ends, voting on May 12
May 10, 2018 7:29 pm
The high-pitched election campaign for the Karnataka Assembly polls concluded at 5 pm on May 10 as political parties held multiple rallies in their last attempt to woo voters.
SIDDARAMAIAH VIDEOS
Karnataka election result: How Kumaraswamy's JD(S) managed to consolidate votes from Congress and BJP
June 22, 2020 6:25 pm
How JD(S) consolidated votes from BJP and Congress to emerge the dark horse in the Karnataka assembly election.
Decision 2018: 5 things the Congress missed during its Karnataka election campaign
June 22, 2020 6:25 pm
Decision 2018: Unpacking the BJP's game plan for winning the Karnataka election
May 10, 2018 8:00 am
If the BJP forms the government in Karnataka, this will be its 21st state. But what does it take to get there? How is it being planned? Liz Mathew unpacks the strategy.
Decision 2018: Why Congress' Siddaramaiah is pulling no punches in the battle for Karnataka
June 22, 2020 6:25 pm
This Karnataka election could be a sign of things to come for both the national parties. What is at stake for the Congress? Ravish Tiwari reports.
Historically with Congress, how Karnataka switched to BJP in 2014. Who will win in 2018?
June 22, 2020 6:25 pm
Ravish Tiwari explains how Karnataka is likely to vote in the 2018 assembly elections.
Man throws paper bag at Karnataka CM protesting caste bias
February 21, 2016 2:09 pm
Bengaluru, Feb 21 (ANI): A man threw a paper bag at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during a function at Ravindra Kalakshetra, protesting caste bias on Sunday. The man was arrested immediately after the incident. The security officials present at the spot found that the paper bag was filled with chocolates.
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