Mysuru

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday equalled Devaraj Urs’ record as the state’s longest-serving chief minister, completing 2,792 days in office. He is set to surpass the record on January 7.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence in completing his full five-year term but said the final decision rests with the Congress high command. He also indicated that discussions regarding a cabinet reshuffle would take place when the party leadership calls him.

Siddaramaiah, in his second term since May 2023, emphasized that serving people and ensuring social justice remain his priorities. Reflecting on his political journey, he said, “Politics means doing justice for the poor, Dalits, backward classes, and doing their work.”

Urs, who served two terms from 1972–77 and 1978–80, is regarded as a symbol of social justice and land reforms. Siddaramaiah, the only CM after Urs to complete a full five-year term, has completed 1,829 days in his first term (2013–18) and 963 days in his current tenure.

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Supporters celebrated his milestone by organizing feasts featuring his favourite “nati koli” (country chicken) dishes. Siddaramaiah, recalling his village roots, said he used to eat nati koli and ragi mudde but added with a smile that the attention it is getting now is due to his position as CM.