PremiumWho will lead Karnataka--Siddaramaiah or DK Shivakumar? Well, the suspense likely to end today (17 May). As per the latest reports, Siddaramaiah is likely to take the oath of Karnataka's Chief Minister tomorrow. The supporters of Siddaramaiah have already started celebrating in Bengaluru by pouring milk on his poster. According to a report by India Today, DK Shivakumar has resist to negotiate on any bet. He disagreed on splitting the tenure of the CM's post. The Karnataka Congress President has also refused to become Deputy Chief Minister. Mint could not independently confirm the claims of DK Shivakumar.
On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi met both Sidddaramaiah and Shivakumar at Sonia Gandhi's residence. The party is likely to make official announcement of the next Karnataka's CM by evening.
Who will be the new Chief Minister of Karnataka? Catch all the live updates here.
The Congress on Wednesday hit out at the BJP for criticising it over the delay in deciding the chief minister of Karnataka, and cited examples when the saffron party declared its chief ministers in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Assam several days after winning the polls.
AICC general secretary in-charge for Karnataka Randeep Surjewala said that a section of the media has fallen victim to the "fake news factory of BJP on formation of next Congress government in Karnataka", asking whether they had questioned the prime minister the same way when he took seven to 10 days in deciding on chief ministers in several states.
Karnataka Congress leader G Parameshwara ruled out the posssibility of an ‘infighting’ within the Congress party, as the High Command remains mum about their CM designate for Karnataka. Parameshwara told PTI, “It's not an infighting. The scene has been shifted to Delhi"
In what emerged as a third option in the Shivakumar vs Siddharamaiah race for CM post of Karnataka, Parameshwara also throew his hat in the ring. He said, ""I have worked as PCC president for eight years. I brought the govt in 2013. I have been a deputy CM in the coalition govt. I certainly have the seniority and capacity to run the government".
As he leaves from the residence of his brother & party MP DK Suresh, Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar speaks on his meeting with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi; says, “Nothing, no discussion. Just pranaam..."
In Karnataks' Rmanagara district, security was beefed up, even as Congress maintained the suspense on who would be the Chief Minister of the state.
Ramanagara is the home district of Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar.
On Wednesday, security was increased as a precautionary measure in light of his supporters staging protests at multiple places after some media outlets claimed that he lost the race for the Chief Minister's post to Siddaramaiah.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing till July 14 on the CBI appeal against the Karnataka High Court order staying a corruption case against D K Shivakumar.
The court remarked that let the publicity be avoided in the matter against D K Shivakumar for two to three day.
DK Shivakumar, who earlier met party leader Rahul Gandhi along with senior leader Siddaramaiah in Delhi on Wednesday, was seen arriving at the residence of his brother and party MP DK Suresh in the national capital later.
Shivakumar is set to meet with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi later this evening, for second round of talks.
The Sri Kanteerava Stadium in Karnataka's capital city Bengaluru getting prepared for the swearing-in ceremony of the Karnataka Chief Minister.
It is to be noted that this development happens, despite the fact that Congress is yet to make an official announcement on who will be made CM for Karnataka.
Police officials were seen conducting inspections at the Stadium today, reported ANI.
The Congress has made no official declaration about who has been assigned the CM post in Karnataka. Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala has met with reporters urging public not to believe in ‘speculations’ and ‘reports’ that Siddaramaiah has been chosen as Chief Minister of Karnataka.
However, Siddaramaiah's supporters began celebrations in the native village of of the Congress heavyweight and outside his Bengaluru residence on Wednesday amid reports in a section of the media that claimed that his name has been finalised for the post.
Former Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Wednesday said, the fight for the Chief Minister post in Congress will continue for the next five years.
"Congress party is a leisure party, for five years the fight for the post of chief minister will continue in the party. People of all caste communities are demanding the post of Chief Minister in the Congress party, this is the culture of the Congress party," Jnanendra said.
The Congress is yet to declare the name of the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Notably, in 2017, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had also taken a week after election results were announced to declare Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Congress, who won the Karnataka Assembly Elections, on Wednesday asserted that Karnataka will have a five-year-long stable government and urged people not to believe in speculation and "fake news" which it alleged was being peddled by the BJP.
Randeep Surjewala dismissed speculative reports that Siddaramaiah was likely to be named the chief minister once again.
"Delibrations are currently underway by party president Mallikarjun Kharge. Whenever Congress makes a decision we will inform you. In the next 48-72 hours, we will have a new cabinet in Karnataka," he told reporters here.
Randeep Surjewala, Karnataka Congress in-charge on Wednesday said delibrations are currently underway by party president Mallikarjun Kharge. “Whenever Congress makes a decision we will inform you. In the next 48-72 hours, we will have a new cabinet in Karnataka".
SC community on Wednesday staged protests outside the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office in Bengaluru, demanding Congress to make Mallikarjun Kharge CM.
Karnataka Congress working president Eshwar Khandare on Wednesday said that the suspense over the decision of the next Chief Minister of the State would likely end by this evening.
After meeting Rahul Gandhi, DK Shivakumar has gone to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence.
Supporters of DK Shivakumar have gathered outside Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi, holding placards demanding chief ministership for the KPCC President.
Police officials were seen inspecting Bengaluru's Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium on Wednesday, where the swearing-in ceremony of the new Karnataka government is likely to be held.
DK Shivakumar has refused to accept the split term of CM's post. He has also disagreed to become Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, India Today reported.
India Today has reported that Congress will declare Siddharamaiah as chief minister of Karnataka in the evening.
Siddaramaiah's swearing-in is likely to take place on Thursday at 3:30 pm, and officials have already been asked to prepare the Kanteerava stadium for the ceremony, India Today TV said.
Siddaramaiah is Congress high command's choice to be the next Karnataka Chief Minister, while his competitor DK Shivakumar will be offered post of deputy CM, India Today reported on Wednesday.
With Congress poised to name the next Karnataka chief minister after the party's win in the State assembly elections, supporters of Siddaramaiah were pouring milk on his posters in Bengaluru today.
Taking a dig at the Congress party over the delay in deciding Karnataka's leadership, outgoing CM Basavaraj Bommai said that in spite of getting a majority the party is unable to decide CM. "This shows the internal situation in the party," he said.
Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar has arrived at Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi's residence at 10, Janpath in New Delhi. DK arrived shortly after the exit of Siddaramaiah from Gandhis' residence. Both leaders are frontrunners for Karnataka's CM post.
Congress leader G Parameshwara said that there is no controversy in the selection of the Karnataka chief minister.
"Let me clarify that there is no controversy in the selection of the Karnataka CM. A procedure is being followed. The party high command is meeting the CM candidates and it will be finalised today or by tomorrow," G Parameshwara said.
With Congress poised to name the next Karnataka chief minister, veteran leader Siddaramaiah met party leader Rahul Gandhi at 10 Janpath in the national capital.
Siddaramaiah has now returned to the hotel where he is staying during his Delhi visit.
Congress leader Siddaramaiah has arrived at Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi. According to India Today TV channel, Siddaramaiah has received support from majority of MLAs for the post of Karnataka CM. Besides, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and Rahul Gandhi are also backing the Varuna's constituency MLA for the CM's post. However, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress President, is not in favour of Siddaramaiah for the top post.
Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah is all set to meet Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi shortly. The Congress party is likely to announce the name of Karnataka's CM by today evening.
Congress MLA HC Balakrishna has spoken in favour of DK Shivakumar for Karnataka CM's post. In an interview with PTI news agency, Balakrishna said, "DK Shivakumar has done his job as the KPCC President and got Congress back to power. He should be made the chief minister".
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, Karnataka Congress working president Eshwar Khandare, and other MLAs continue to arrive at 10, Janpath, that is the residence of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, on Wednesday.
Karnataka Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar to meet party leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi today.
In yesterday's meeting at Congress President Mallikajun Kharge's residence, Karnataka CM contender DK Shivakumar told the former that Siddaramaiah had already been given a chance to become the CM and now it was his turn. He added that Siddharamaiah's previous CM tenure between 2008 and 2013 was a "misrule" and that the Lingayats were against the former chief minister.
As per reports cases against DK Shivakumar, the Karnataka CM aspirant, may act as a hurdle for him. The Congress troubleshooter has 19 cases against him. Shivakumar was arrested by the ED on September 3, 2019 case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after an intense interrogation. He got bail on October 23, 2019.
On May 26, 2022, the ED filed a chargesheet under the anti-money laundering law against him. Shivakumar is also under probe in the National Herald case in which Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were also questioned by the financial probe agency.
Congress party circles in both New Delhi and Bengaluru are speculating that there would be a split in Karnataka CMs' tenure between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. Congress is likely to promise a 3-year term to Shivakumar if he agrees to Siddarmaiah presiding over the CMO for the first two years of tenure.
Some reports have said that DK Shivakumar has pointed out that Siddarmaiah had served one full term and it was high time that he should now be named Karnataka's chief minister. Siddarmaiah held Karnataka CM's post from 2008-2013.
According to a report by India Today TV, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi is supporting Siddaramaiah while Gandhi's mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi shares a good equation with DK Shivakumar. The TV channel also claimed that incumbent Congress President Malllikarjun Kharge averse to Siddaramaiah.
AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal on Tuesday night said that the decision on Karnataka leadership would be announced soon. After leaving Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, Venugopal said, “Decision will come, wait. Good decision will come. It will come as soon as possible".
Rumours are rife that senior Congress leaders, including Randeep Surjewala and KC Venugopal, have deliberated over power-sharing formula in Karnataka, entailing two years for Siddaramaiah and three years for DK Shivakumar in yesterday's meeting.
As deadlock over Karnataka CM continues, senior Congress functionary, also former Deputy chief minister, Dr G Parameshwara sprung a surprise by saying he is ready to serve the top post of the party leadership asks him to do so.
"If the Congress high command gives me the responsibility of the CM post, I will definitely fulfil it. They know everything about me and my work. I don't want to lobby," he said.
Congress sources told ANI news agency that Mallikarjun Kharge will take the final decision after consulting UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former party President Rahul Gandhi.
"No Final decision has been made on the Karnataka CM post yet. Congress president has met all the stakeholders. Congress President has met all the stakeholders. Now the final decision will be taken by him in consultation with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. The announcement can be delayed until tomorrow and the announcement can be made in Bengaluru itself," said Congress sources.
DK Shivakumar, who is Karnataka Congress chief, is likely to agree to suggestions made by Sonia Gandhi to help the party solve the leadership issue in Karnataka.
Senior Congress party leaders will again meet Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar on Wednesday morning to take the final call on Karnataka's leadership.
As per ANI news agency, Sonia Gandhi is likely to reach Delhi on Wednesday from Himachal Pradesh and she may meet some leaders who are part of the decision-making process in Karnataka.
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