Karnataka CM Race: Kharge holds one-on-one meeting with Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah

Congress is holding long meetings since yesterday to decide the next Chief Minister of Karnataka. With two senior leaders putting forward their claims for the top post, the Congress is looking for a way out that is acceptable to both the leaders – Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah. While Siddaramaiah reached Delhi yesterday, Shivakumar reached the national capital today after canceling his flight yesterday citing illness.

DK Shivakumar today met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in Delhi and discussed the modalities of government formation in Karnataka. Shivakumar reached Kharge’s residence after 5 pm and discussed the post of Chief Minister of Karnataka. He left after the 30-minute meeting and did not speak to the media.

After meeting Shivakumar, Kharge also held a meeting with Siddaramaiah and got his views. While several reports claim that the Congress wants to go with Siddaramaiah as the chief minister and DK Shivakumar as the deputy, a formal announcement is yet to be made. As suspense continues over Karnataka CM face, Shivakumar is said to be firm on his demand for the CM post despite leaving the decision to the Congress high command.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has already met Kharge and other senior leaders to discuss the issue. According to reports, Kharge will take a final decision after consulting Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. Announcement can be made in Bangalore only. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah are the frontrunners for the chief minister’s post after the Congress’ landslide victory in the Karnataka assembly elections by winning 135 out of 224 seats. An independent MLA has also given his support to the Congress.

According to AICC spokesperson Pawan Kheda, a decision on the appointment of the Chief Minister of Karnataka will be taken by tomorrow. Khera told reporters here that the opinion of the newly elected MLAs has been taken and the central leadership is looking into the matter. “The appointment of the chief minister is not an easy matter. It cannot be imposed from Delhi…everyone’s opinion should be taken into consideration. We will have to engage with every stakeholder and then decide who will be the chief minister,” he said. “The process is on. The observers have already gone there. Met the MLAs. The MLAs have given their opinion. Now, the opinion has gone, the whole record has gone to the central leadership. So, in a day or two you will get the answer. Know,” Kheda said.