Siddaramaiah hints at continuing as Karnataka Chief Minister, says he will present 17th budget next year

Hinting that he will continue to be the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah has said he will present his record 17th budget next year.

Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented his 16th budget in March.

He was speaking at the golden jubilee of LG Havanur on Wednesday (November 19) on the occasion of presentation of the report of the first Backward Classes Commission.

“When I became finance minister for the first time, a newspaper wrote – This Siddaramaiah (a Kuruba) cannot count a hundred sheep, how will he work as the finance minister of Karnataka – I accepted it as a challenge… I have presented 16 budgets. Next, I will present the 17th budget,” Siddaramaiah said, drawing loud applause.

The budget for 2026-27 is likely to be presented in March next year and preparation work has already started.

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Siddaramaiah’s comments come amid speculation about a possible leadership change in the state when the Congress government reaches the halfway point of its five-year term in November.

There was a tough competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the post of Chief Minister after the assembly election results were declared in May 2023 and Congress managed to convince him and made him the Deputy CM.

There were some reports at the time that an agreement had been reached based on the “rotational chief ministerial formula”, according to which Shivakumar would become the CM after two and a half years, but this has not been officially confirmed by the party.