Karnataka Will Have New Cabinet In Next 72 Hours: Randeep Surjewala

Amid suspense over who will be the chief minister of Karnataka, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala on Wednesday said that the announcement will be made in another 48 to 72 hours.

A decision in all probability has been done in Karnataka, with Congress choosing Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister candidate. D.K. Shivakumar, who was another contender in the CM race, is likely to be offered plum portfolios along with the Deputy CM post.

"Discussions are currently underway by Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Whenever the party chief takes a decision we will inform you. It is likely that we will have a new cabinet in Karnataka in the next 72 hours," Surjewala told reporters.

"A lot of fake news and speculation is going on. I want to clarify that deliberations have been held by Kharge. I myself accompanied the CLP leader when they met Rahul Gandhi. They also held talks with the AICC President...the deliberations are currently underway. Do not pay heed to speculation. No decision has been taken yet," he said.

"Whenever the party chief takes a decision, whether it is today or tomorrow, he will be making an announcement," he said.

Kharge believes in three principles - consensus, unanimity, and unity and therefore we are deliberating to come out with a solution that is accepted by everyone, Surjewala added.

Meanwhile, preparations were underway at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister-designate, which is likely to take place on Thursday.

Notably, this is the very venue where Siddaramaiah took oath as the Chief Minister for the first time in 2013.

The Congress stormed to power in Karnataka with 135 seats in the 224-member house, where the majority mark is 113. The BJP won 66 seats, while the JDS ended up winning just 19.