Satish Jarkiholi well-suited to provide leadership to politics of liberal, progressive ideology: Yathindra Siddaramaiah

Minister for Public Works Satish Jarkiholi is well-suited to take over the leadership of the brand of politics that is based on liberal and secular ideology, Karnataka MLA and CM Siddaramaiah’s son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, said in Belagavi on Wednesday (October 22, 2025).

Soon after, he clarified that he was not naming Congress leader Mr. Jarkiholi as Mr. Siddaramaiah’s successor, nor hinting that he should replace him in the next term. “I have not spoken about a political successor to my father. I have only spoken about the ideological leadership to the party. I also do not mean to suggest changes in the leadership to the party or government in the immediate future. I was referring to the 2028 elections,’’ he told reporters in Belagavi.

To a query, he said that the party high command would decide the next CM. “The ideology of the Congress is based on liberal and progressive values. There are several leaders who have such beliefs and who aspire to become the CM. It is the party high command to pick the right leader,’’ he said.

He also dismissed as rumours, claims of a November revolution in Karnataka state politics, where the CM would be changed. “Nothing of this sort will ever happen. These are the claims of some people. They are unfounded. The party legislators and the high command will decide on any such change. But there is no discussion about the change of the CM, as of now,’’ Mr. Yathindra said.

Also read: CM’s close aide or CM aspirant? The curious case of Satish Jarkiholi

Earlier, at an event to unveil the Kanaka Dasa statue in Kappalguddi near Raibag in Belagavi district, Mr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah had made the statement on Mr. Jarkiholi being well suited to take over from Mr Siddaramaiah.

“My father is in the last phase of his political career. He has already announced that he would not contest elections in 2028. My father is a strong believer in secularism. He has built his political life around liberal and progressive ideology. Since Satish Jarkiholi is also a leader who believes in these ideologies and lives by them, he can continue to provide leadership to those who believe in such ideologies. There are not many who have such ideological beliefs. I urge him to provide leadership to all those who share liberal and progressive ideology,’’ the Congress MLA said.