New Karnataka CM May Take Oath on Thursday

There is plenty of suspense around who would be the next Chief Minister of Karnataka, with the Congress winning big in the state.

Sloganeering is on at full swing as the party met today to decide on the next Chief Minister of the state.

Sources said that the new CM would take oath on Thursday, while party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that the candidate would be decided by the high command of the party.

It is unlikely that a candidate may be declared today and there would be more talks before a CM is picked.

There has been a poster war in the state ahead of the meeting. Both Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar are in the running and both leaders are not ready to let the top post go.

Sources say that Siddaramaiah is the front runner due to his seniority and the fact that he declared that this election is his last.

Shivakumar has however played down any talk of confrontation in deciding the chief minister and insisted that the decision would be taken in Temple, which is the party office. He said that the only concern of the party is to ensure good governance.

Siddaramaiah on the other hand is seen as the most popular face in the party. Ultimately the MLAs would have their pick and the one with the most support may end up becoming the CM.

The Congress has called for its Legislature Party meeting today post 5.30 pm. It is to be seen if a CM candidate will be announced post the meeting.

Yesterday party sources had indicated that Siddaramaiah will most likely become CM, while Shivakumar will be handed over numerous portfolios. There is also a likelihood that there would be three deputy CMs-a Lingayat, Vokkaliga and Muslim.