‘I Am A 100% Politician’—What Siddaramaiah, Karnataka’S Longest Serving CM, Said In 2017

Siddaramaiah: A 100% Politician

In an engaging conversation with Shekhar Gupta, Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was candid about his political identity. When asked if he could be described as a "100 percent politician," he affirmed,

“Yes, I am a politician, no doubt on that. When I am in any political party, I must be 100 percent politician.”

However, he clarified he doesn’t operate in politics around the clock, emphasizing that while his responsibilities weigh heavily on him, he is not a “24 hours politician.”

Discussing his role as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah highlighted his commitment to social justice, stating,

“Those who are deprived of opportunities in the society should be brought to the mainstream.”

Despite the Congress party's recent struggles in various states, he dismissed the notion that it is diminished, reminding Gupta that past defeats do not equate to irrelevance.

“In 1977 also Congress was defeated. It came back again in 1980,”

he pointed out.

Reflecting on his decade-long journey with Congress, Siddaramaiah underscored the party's ideological strengths, including its dedication to secularism and democracy. Yet, he acknowledged the need for improvement in energizing the party's grassroots workers, saying,

“We have to build the cadre.”

In Karnataka, he asserted that they are indeed making strides in strengthening their base.

As the conversation turned to regional identity, Siddaramaiah maintained that his government's achievements would stand as the answer to the rising Hindutva narrative, rather than pursuing regionalism. He was clear about his stance on language issues, particularly Hindi's imposition. He affirmed,

“I oppose imposition of Hindi,”

insisting that each state’s language must be respected.

When Gupta brought up the contentious topic of a state flag, Siddaramaiah explained that the yellow and red flag has historical roots, used by Kannada activists since 1966. He stated,

“If any state has their own flag, I don’t think it is against the provisions of the Constitution.”

His focus remained on ensuring that any state flag would not undermine national integrity.

Throughout the interview, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence in Congress's return to power in the next elections, stating,

“I am fully confident Congress will come back to power.”

He dismissed concerns over anti-incumbency in Karnataka, citing the BJP's previous misrule as a liability for them.

As the discussion wrapped up, he addressed controversies surrounding former colleagues and the ongoing issues with the BJP and PFI, emphasizing a need for vigilance against divisive forces. He concluded by reiterating his commitment to the people of Karnataka, saying,

“I am a people man.”

With his political fervor evident, Siddaramaiah left an impression as a leader dedicated to the development of his state.