R. V. Deshpande: Time to bow out gracefully

 R. V. Deshpande has been a permanent fixture in Karnataka politics for more than four decades. Elected repeatedly from Uttara Kannada, he has enjoyed the rare privilege of being a minister in almost every government since 1983, regardless of who occupied the Chief Minister’s chair. Few politicians in the state have known the corridors of power as intimately or for as long as he has.

Yet today, at 78, he finds himself restless and disappointed. For months now, Deshpande has voiced his unhappiness over not being included in the present Siddaramaiah Cabinet. His repeated assertions about seniority and experience betray a sense of entitlement—that being a minister is his natural right as long as the Congress is in power.

But perhaps it is time for Deshpande to pause and reflect. After all, he has not been cast aside. He continues to hold the post of Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, a position of prestige and influence, where his decades of administrative experience can still be put to meaningful use. Instead of clamouring for yet another cabinet berth, why not view this as an opportunity to contribute without the daily grind of ministerial politics?

The question is not about whether Deshpande deserves respect—he unquestionably does. The issue is whether, at this advanced stage of his career, he should insist on clinging to ministership in a Cabinet led by someone junior to him in both age and political standing. True statesmanship lies in knowing when to step aside, when to make space for the next generation, and when to accept that one’s legacy is secure without another stint in power.

Deshpande’s career has given him everything—longevity, wealth, influence, and recognition. Few politicians in India have enjoyed such a run. If he continues to sulk publicly about not being a minister, he risks diminishing his own stature. Instead, he could choose the higher path—mentoring younger leaders, guiding policy reforms, and proving that leadership is not measured only by holding office.

The real question is simple: after having received so much from politics, can R. V. Deshpande not be content—and allow the younger generation of Congress leaders their chance at responsibility? The answer will define how he is remembered—not just as a survivor, but as a statesman who knew when to let go.