Siddaramaiah breaks Devaraj Urs’ longstanding record, becomes Karnataka’s longest-serving CM

From social justice legacy to modern welfare governance, Siddaramaiah scripts a new chapter in Karnataka’s political history

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has entered the history books by becoming the longest-serving Chief Minister of the state, surpassing the long-standing record held by late Devaraj Urs. With this milestone, achieved across two separate tenures, Siddaramaiah has redefined political longevity in Karnataka and reinforced his stature as one of the state’s most influential leaders.

Devaraj Urs, who governed Karnataka from March 20, 1972, to January 12, 1980, held office continuously for seven years and 239 days. For over four decades, this record remained untouched. Siddaramaiah has now gone past this benchmark, marking a rare political achievement, especially significant as both leaders hail from the same district.

Siddaramaiah first served as Chief Minister from May 13, 2013, to May 17, 2018, completing a full five-year term. After a five-year gap, he returned to power on May 20, 2023, and continues in office, cumulatively crossing Urs’ historic tenure. In comparison, former Chief Minister S. Nijalingappa served for seven years and 175 days, Ramakrishna Hegde held office for five years and 216 days, while B.S. Yediyurappa’s total tenure stands at five years and 82 days.

Apart from tenure, Siddaramaiah also leads in budget presentations, having tabled more state budgets than any other Chief Minister in Karnataka, further underlining his administrative continuity and experience.

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Often described as the modern torchbearer of Devaraj Urs’ social justice vision, Siddaramaiah has built his politics around the consolidation of backward classes, minorities and Dalits. While Urs laid the foundation of the AHINDA (Minorities, Backward Classes and Dalits) political framework by challenging dominant caste politics, Siddaramaiah revived and strengthened this ideology in contemporary electoral politics, emerging as the unquestioned leader of these sections.

Ideologically, the two leaders differed. Urs was deeply influenced by Marxist thought and came from a small upper-caste community, yet mobilised marginalised groups. Siddaramaiah, inspired by Lohia’s socialist philosophy, rose from poverty within a dominant backward community, shaping a politics rooted in lived experience. Both confronted national leaderships in their political journeys, Urs lost power following such conflicts, while Siddaramaiah consolidated authority and returned stronger.

In governance, Siddaramaiah shifted the focus from land reforms, which defined Urs’ era, to direct welfare delivery. His government’s guarantee schemes aim to transfer state resources straight into people’s lives, positioning him as a leader focused on immediate economic relief and social security.

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The historic record has triggered widespread celebrations among supporters. Events are being organised across Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Hassan and Mysuru, including blood donation camps and community feasts. A major public convention is scheduled in Davanagere on February 13. Marking the government’s 1,000 days, a large programme is also planned in Haveri to grant revenue village status to Hatti tandas.

Reacting to the milestone, Siddaramaiah credited the achievement to public support and blessings. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said Devaraj Urs gave Karnataka a new administrative direction, and Siddaramaiah has carried that legacy forward with dignity, experience and public trust.

Overall, the record symbolises a deeper political shift in Karnataka, breaking decades-long dominance of Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities through a broad backward-class coalition. While Siddaramaiah is widely seen as Urs’ ideological successor, his governance style and economic strategies are tailored to present-day realities, marking both continuity and change in Karnataka’s political evolution.