MYSURU: The resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sent shockwaves through his home village of Siddaramanahundi, located 25 kilometers from Mysuru. The emotional news left many residents in sorrow, as they gathered around televisions to watch developments unfold on Thursday afternoon. Many villagers traveled to Bengaluru to show their support during this challenging moment, clinging to hope until the announcement confirmed their fears.
Before the 2008 assembly elections, a delimitation process placed Siddaramaiah at a political crossroads, altering the structure of his traditional Chamundeshwari constituency, which he had represented five times but had lost twice. This change forced him to choose between his established seat and the newly formed Varuna constituency. In a pivotal moment two years earlier, he had narrowly won in Chamundeshwari by merely 257 votes. At a subsequent meeting attended by supporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah broke down while announcing his decision to shift to Varuna, which holds significant ties to his roots. This emotional pivot deepened the bond between him and the residents of Siddaramanahundi, who regard him not only as a two-time chief minister but as “one among us.”
Anand, a neighbor, expressed the community’s grief, stating, “We are in shock. Siddaramaiah has done a lot to develop this village and Varuna. We are also worried over the fate of the work.” During a visit to Varuna in March, Siddaramaiah inaugurated projects totaling over Rs 324 crore, highlighting his commitment to the area.
Villagers praised his accessibility and grounded nature, with local resident Anjanayya noting, “Seniors call him by his name. Even after becoming CM twice, he didn’t change.” Siddaramaiah’s decision to remain the MLA for Varuna rather than pursue a Rajya Sabha position offered a glimmer of reassurance to the community. Anjanayya remarked, “That is a small relief for us.”
