Even as internal political tensions continue within the Karnataka Congress, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is on the verge of creating history. On Tuesday, he will become the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka, surpassing the record held for decades by D Devaraj Urs.

Devaraj Urs had served as Chief Minister for 7 years and 239 days. Siddaramaiah has now equalled this tenure and will break the record by completing an additional day in office. This milestone comes at a time when a power struggle is being speculated within the ruling party, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also emerging as a key figure in state politics.

In Karnataka’s political history, S. Nijalingappa ranks third with a tenure of 7 years and 175 days. He is followed by Ramakrishna Hegde, who served for 5 years and 216 days, and B. S. Yediyurappa, with 5 years and 82 days in office.

After Urs’s long tenure, Congress failed to retain power in the state. The 2018 Assembly elections resulted in a hung verdict, leading to a Congress–JD(S) coalition government under H. D. Kumaraswamy, which collapsed within 14 months. The BJP later formed governments led by Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai.

The Congress returned to power in 2023 with a clear majority, bringing Siddaramaiah back as Chief Minister for a second term. Having begun his political career in the Lok Dal and Janata Dal before joining Congress in 2006, Siddaramaiah has held several key positions, including Leader of the Opposition.

He also holds the record for presenting the Karnataka state budget the highest number of times — 16 budgets so far — ahead of Ramakrishna Hegde’s 13.