Karnataka CM Race: Kharge Holds One-On-One With DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah

The suspense over the new Karnataka chief minister has intensified with two top contenders - state chief DK Shivakumar and senior leader Siddaramaiah - in the national capital to discuss the issue with the party's national leadership.

Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar met party chief Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence and discussed the modalities of government formation in the southern state.

Shivakumar, who arrived in Delhi in the morning from Bengaluru, reached Kharge's residence a little after 5 pm and held deliberations over the post of chief minister of Karnataka. He left after a 30-minute meeting and did not speak to the media.

According to reports, Shivakumar, in meeting with Kahrge, said he would like to be the Chief Minister. They also discussed government formation in Karnataka.

Following his meeting with Shivakumar, Kharge also held a meeting with Siddaramaiah to take his views. While many reports have claimed that Congress wants to go with Siddaramaiah as the CM and DK Shivakumar as his deputy, a formal announcement has not been made yet.

Shivakumar along with former chief minister Siddaramaiah are frontrunners for the top post after the party staged a stunning victory in the Karnataka Assembly polls by winning 135 out of 224 seats.

Both the leaders have staked claim on the chief minister's post and are indulging in hectic lobbying.