Siddaramaiah hints at continuing as Karnataka CM, says he’ll present 17th budget in 2026
Statement comes amid rumours of rotational CM formula in Congress; he presented his record 16th budget in March this year
Siddaramaiah has stated that he will present his record 17th Budget next year, signalling that he intends to continue as Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Siddaramaiah, who also serves as the state’s Finance Minister, had presented his 16th Budget in March.
Siddaramaiah vows to present his 17th budget
He made these remarks on Wednesday (November 19) during the golden jubilee celebration of LG Havanur, which marked the submission of the first Backward Classes Commission report.
"When I first became finance minister, a newspaper wrote -- this Siddaramaiah (a Kuruba) can't count a hundred sheep, how will he function as Karnataka's finance minister, I accepted this as a challenge..... I have presented 16 budgets. Next, I will present the 17th budget," Siddaramaiah said, drawing loud applause.
The 2026-27 budget is likely to be presented in March next year, and preparatory work has already begun.
Row over rotational CM formula
Siddaramaiah's comments come amid speculations about a possible leadership change in the state, when the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy CM.
There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-a-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
(With agency inputs)