Siddaramiah hints at continuing as CM, says he will present 17th budget next year
Bengaluru (PTI): Signalling that he intends to continue as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that he would present his record 17th Budget next year.
Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented his 16th budget in March.
He was speaking at the golden jubilee of LG Havanur, marking submission of the first backward classes commission report.
"When I first became finance minister, a newspaper wrote -- this Siddaramaiah (a Kuruba) can't count a hundred sheep, how will he function as Karnataka's finance minister -- I accepted this as a challenge..... I have presented 16 budgets. Next, I will present the 17th budget," Siddaramaiah said, drawing loud applause.
The 2026-27 budget is likely to be presented in March next year, and preparatory work has already begun.
Siddaramaiah's comments come amid speculations about a possible leadership change in the state, when the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, which is being referred to by some as the "November revolution".
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy CM.
There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov meets PM Modi; exchanges views on Ukraine, West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine and West Asia.
During the meeting, the prime minister reiterated India's consistent stand in favour of dialogue and diplomacy as the best way forward.
In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office said Lavrov briefed Modi on the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation since his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2025 at the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
"Foreign Minister Lavrov and the Prime Minister exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine and West Asia," the statement said.
Modi requested Lavrov to convey his warm greetings to Putin, it said.
Lavrov is here to attend the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting.
