States » SouthPosted at: Oct 12 2026 3:40PM


Siddaramaiah leaves door open to Rajya Sabha entry after earlier rejection

Bengaluru, Oct 12 (UNI) Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has left open the possibility of entering the Rajya Sabha, saying he would consult his friends before taking a decision, after recalling that he had declined an invitation from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to join the Upper House.
Speaking at a programme organised by the Lokanayaka J.P. Vichara Vedike at Gandhi Bhavan here on Sunday to mark the birth anniversary of Jayaprakash Narayan, Siddaramaiah responded to appeals from members of the audience urging him to enter the Rajya Sabha.
“Let us see. I will discuss it with my friends and then decide,” he said, without committing himself to the proposal.
Recalling his earlier conversation with Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah said he had declined the offer, explaining that he did not wish to become a Rajya Sabha member or move to Delhi.
He said he was subsequently appointed to the Congress Working Committee after turning down the Rajya Sabha offer.
His latest remarks leave the question of a possible Rajya Sabha entry open, though he did not indicate whether he was reconsidering his earlier position or whether any fresh offer had been made.
The programme also saw former MP V.S. Ugrappa being presented with this year's J.P. Award.
Siddaramaiah also expressed concern over the growing influence of money in electoral politics, recalling that George Fernandes had given him Rs 10,000 during an earlier election, while members of the public had contributed Rs 53,000.
He said the increasing financial burden of contesting elections had made it difficult for honest candidates to win, highlighting the growing role of money in electoral politics.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Siddaramaiah leaves door open to Rajya Sabha entry after earlier rejection
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