Siddaramaiah Poised to Break Karnataka's Longest- Serving CM Record, but Will It Last?

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Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is on the cusp of breaking the record for the longest-serving CM, surpassing D Devaraj Urs' seven years and 239 days in office. As he inches closer to the milestone on January 7, Siddaramaiah attributes his success to the 'blessings of the people.' Drawing a sports analogy, he noted that records are meant to be broken, comparing his feat to Virat Kohli breaking Sachin Tendulkar's records in cricket. The CM, who has won eight elections and lost two parliamentary and two assembly elections, never imagined becoming a minister, let alone the CM. He drew a contrast between himself and Urs, highlighting their different backgrounds. While Urs was from a forward class, Siddaramaiah hails from a socially backward community. This record comes at a time when Siddaramaiah is embroiled in a power tussle with his deputy, DK Shivakumar, over the CM's seat. State home minister G Parameshwara has clarified that any decision on the CM's position rests with the Congress high command. As the Karnataka unit of the Indian National Congress witnesses internal power struggles, Siddaramaiah's record may be short-lived, with several contenders vying for the top spot.