Rahul Holds Closed-Door Meeting With Kharge As Clock Ticks To Pick New CM

While the suspense over the new Karnataka Chief Minister remains, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and is reported to have held discussions over government formation in the state.

According to reports, Rahul Gandhi held a closed-door meeting at Congress Chief Mallikargun Kharge's residence and made it clear that he wants a decision on the CM candidate as soon as possible.

Randeep Surjewala, who is in charge of the party's affairs in Karnataka, was also present at the meeting.

Kharge is now expected to hold a meeting with CM aspirants D K Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.

Both Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar are the main contenders for the Chief Minister's post and both are lobbying for it.

On Sunday, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) passed a resolution authorising Kharge to pick the new Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The Congress high command remained undecided on who will get the top post in the state. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have played an important role in the party's landslide victory in Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah, who held meeting with party's central leadership remained tight-lipped over the issue while D K Shivakumar is hopeful that loyalty to the party will pay.

D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said that he will not backstab even if the high command overlooks him and make Siddaramaiah the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

"Ours is a united house, our number is 135. I don't want to divide anyone here. Whether they like me or not, I am a responsible man. I will not backstab and I will not blackmail," ANI quoted him as saying before leaving for Delhi.

He was supposed to go to the national capital on Monday but he cancelled his trip citing health issues.

Congress registered a landslide victory in Karnataka with 135 seats while the ruling BJP won 66 seats and the regional party Janata Dal Secular secured 19 seats.