Politics in India have always been dynamic. Each state has unique characteristics, which make it a challenging task for political parties to win over the hearts of the people. Karnataka is no exception, being known for its diverse population with varying castes, communities, and religions. The Congress party, having ruled the state for numerous terms, has always relied on one leader to win them elections in Karnataka – the former Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah.
Siddaramaiah was not an overnight sensation. He had worked his way up from being a lawyer to becoming a mass leader. His popularity stemmed from his rise in politics from the grassroots level, becoming the President of the Chamundeshwari Constituency Congress Committee in Mysore in 1978. Winning his very first election to the State Legislature in 1983, he went on to become the deputy chief minister in the mid-1990s. Even after being expelled from the party in 2005, Siddaramaiah’s loyalty and determination made him a prominent figure in the party, leading to him being reinstated in 2006.
Siddaramaiah has always been a member of a minority community in Karnataka – the Kuruba community. This is where his association with Lohiaite socialism started. Ram Manohar Lohia was a socialist political thinker and activist who believed in empowering the underprivileged and strengthening the Indian democracy in the true sense. Through years of understanding Lohia’s principles, Siddaramaiah adopted his socialist ideology into his political career. Siddaramaiah always upheld the ideology of socialism, which resonated with the people of Karnataka, who were oppressed and subjugated for centuries.
Siddaramaiah was also known as a strong AHINDA champion, which translates to an acronym standing for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). By leading the movement and advocating for the rights and empowerment of these communities, Siddaramaiah became an advocate of the masses. This endeared him to the people of Karnataka who saw him as a leader who cared about their struggles and was addressing them in a meaningful way.
The Congress Party has a long history of praising and encouraging mass leaders. The party has always recognized people who rose from the grassroots level to become prominent leaders. This is where Siddaramaiah’s leadership style started shining through. His charisma and mass popularity were recognized by the top brass of the Congress party, which made him their default choice as the Chief Ministerial candidate. His popularity not only extended to the masses but also to his party leaders who saw him as the only viable candidate capable of leading the party to victory.
In 2004, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government came to power in the center, where the Congress party was the mainstay. It saw the rise of prominent regional leaders who started calling the shots in their respective states. The Congress Party’s presence in the South had always been weak, but Siddaramaiah ensured that the party was not wiped out from the region. Siddaramaiah gave the Congress party hope and rejuvenated the Karnataka Congress.
In 2013, after leading campaigns and movements for years, Siddaramaiah was finally made the Chief Minister of Karnataka in a move that was received with applause and admiration from all corners. He went on to serve as the Chief Minister for five years, during which he implemented various policies and schemes for the upliftment of the poor and marginalized. His success as a leader is evident from the fact that the Congress party won 122 out of the 224 seats in the Legislative Assembly, which was considered a remarkable feat.
In conclusion, Siddaramaiah’s journey from a lawyer to a mass leader and finally to becoming the Chief Minister of Karnataka has been monumental. His success was not only because of his hard work and dedication but also because of his socialist ideology and his AHINDA leadership style. In recognition of his contribution to politics, he was bestowed with several awards and accolades during his tenure. Siddaramaiah has left an indelible mark on Karnataka politics, and he continues to inspire generations of young people to take up social causes and work for the betterment of their communities.
