Speaking at a program in K.R. Pet on Sunday, Siddaramaiah said politics today has become thoroughly corrupted, and that it was in this environment that he had decided not to contest the 2028 polls. He was quick to clarify, however, that stepping back from electoral contests doesn't mean stepping away from politics altogether — he said he intends to keep raising his voice on public issues going forward.

Siddaramaiah, now 79, explained that by the time the current government's term concludes, he would be 81 or 82 years old, and that he no longer carries the same energy he once did for active campaigning. He noted that 2028 would mark 50 years since he entered politics, a journey that began in 1978 when he became a Taluk Board member.

He also addressed pressure from his own constituency, saying voters in Varuna wanted to see him contest one more time. Despite that, he said he had made up his mind not to contest any future election. He reflected on how election dynamics have shifted over the decades, saying that in earlier years, the public used to actively support candidates, but that the environment has since changed — candidates today are expected to spend money to win votes, he said, adding that space for honest politics keeps shrinking, which he cited as a key reason behind his decision.

Siddaramaiah stepped down as Chief Minister on May 28, 2026, with the Karnataka Governor accepting his resignation the following day. D.K. Shivakumar subsequently took over the Chief Minister's post. Sunday's announcement is being read as another significant marker in Siddaramaiah's long political career, coming just two months after his exit from the state's top office.

Congress has not issued an official statement responding to Siddaramaiah's announcement, and it remains to be seen how the party plans to navigate Varuna's leadership question, given the continued public pressure from his own constituency for him to run again.