Not Just CM, Siddaramaiah Not Ready To Let Go Of Finance Portfolio Too

As the discussions in Delhi continue over who would be the next chief minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah is making hectic efforts for the top post as well as the finance portfolio.

All the Congress MLAs have currently maintained a neutral stance, but the scales are tipped in Siddaramaiah's favour, a source tells OneIndia. The source further added that since Siddaramaiah had campaigned extensively for nearly all the MLAs, those loyal to D K Shivakumar too are backing him.

With both the leaders refusing to relent, the Congress may take a bit more time before it makes a final announcement. Meanwhile, Congress chief, Mallikarjun Kharge may visit Karnataka, meet with the senior leaders and then make an announcement. Kharge was told by Rahul Gandhi that he and Sonia Gandhi would go by the decision taken by him.

Rahul Gandhi is understood to have told Kharge that he wants no confusion and the government should represent the mandate of the people.

The dilemma for the Congress is who they should exactly placate. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have both played an important role in the campaign. Siddaramaiah however has the edge owing to multiple factors. The MLAs are in his favour, his seniority the fact that he said that this would be his last election and he had served as chief minister between 2013 and 2018.

Shivakumar on the other hand has organisational skills. He has been a chief minister in waiting for long. Furthermore he is the trouble shooter in-chief for the Congress, not only when it comes to Karnataka, but to other states as well.