Political careers rarely follow a linear trajectory, and Siddaramaiah’s nearly five-decade-long public life has been marked by dramatic turns and political reinventions, culminating in his surpassing D. Devaraj Urs as Karnataka’s longest-serving Chief Minister.A central figure in Karnataka politics since the mid-1980s, Siddaramaiah announced his resignation from the post of Chief Minister on May 28, 2026. Over the decades, he navigated the State’s complex political landscape through carefully crafted social alliances and a governance model centred on welfare and inclusivity.Follow | Karnataka politics LIVEBorn on August 3, 1947, in Siddaramanahundi village near Mysore (now Mysuru), Siddaramaiah became only the third Chief Minister in Karnataka’s history — after S. Nijalingappa and D. Devaraj Urs — to complete a full five-year term and return to lead the State for a second, though non-consecutive, tenure, and eventually truncated.17 budgets presentedThe lawyer-turned-politician, who belongs to the Kuruba community, traditionally associated with shepherding and spread across Karnataka, presented 17 State budgets during his career. This places him second only to Vajubhai Vala, who presented 18 budgets in Gujarat before serving as Governor of Karnataka later.Siddaramaiah’s political career was shaped in the 1980s under the mentorship of former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde. Over the years, he served under five Chief Ministers — Hegde, S.R. Bommai, H.D. Deve Gowda, J.H. Patel and Dharam Singh. He also held positions as Minister, Deputy Chief Minister twice, Leader of the Opposition, and president of the Janata Dal (Secular) State unit. A nine-time MLA, his rise in politics remains notable for the absence of inherited political or social capital.In his long political career, he contested only two Lok Sabha elections — from Mysuru in 1980 and Koppal in 1991 — losing both.In Pictures | Siddaramaiah: From lawyer to Karnataka's longest-serving CMSiddaramaiah B, Minister of State, (Photographed during the Karnataka Assembly Elections, March 1985). A 1989 picture of Siddaramaiah (right) with his friend found at his relative's home in Siddaramanahundi village in Mysore district on May 10, 2013. Taking the oath as Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services in the Ramakrishna Hegde government, along with (far left) B.R. Yavagal, P.G.R. Sindhia and M.P. Prakash.Siddaramaiah seen with Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde.A 1995 image of a visibly tired Chief Minister H. D. Deve Gowda being briefed by the Finance Minister Siddaramaiah at the Zilla Panchayat members