Deliberations Are Still On Says Congress As Reports Claim Siddaramaiah Would Be Karnataka CM

A decision in all probability has been done in Karnataka, with Siddaramaiah likely to take over as the next Chief Minister of the State.

D K Shivakumar is likely to be his deputy and six important portfolios in the Cabinet, sources tell OneIndia. The swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place on Thursday, thus ending the four day drama in the party which began since the election results were out on Saturday. An official word on the developments is still awaited.

However Shivakumar's office said that there is no decision as yet. The Congress has however said that no decision has been taken as yet. Deliberations are still on and an announcement would be made soon, Congress Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala told the media. The announcement will be made today or tomorrow and a cabinet would be in place in the next 72 hours.

On Thursday all 135 legislators would hold a meeting, following which the swearing-in-ceremony will take place.

Earlier in the day, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met with top Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. There are also some reports that say that Shivakumar had agreed to the proposal as Siddaramaiah had proposed that he would remain CM for two years. Following this Shivakumar would take over as the CM, sources also said.

In the elections that were held on May 10, the Congress won, 135 seats in the 224 member house, where the majority mark is 113. The BJP came second with 66 seats, while the JD(S) which had hoped to play kingmaker ended up just 19.

Meanwhile officials have been told in Karnataka to be prepared for the swearing-in-ceremony at the Kanteerva Stadium in Bengaluru. A team of the police visited the venue and oversaw the preparations.

Meanwhile followers of Siddaramaiah have gathered outside his house. They were seen pouring milk on his poster, thus giving a clear signal that he is the one who is going to take the top post. His supporters also burst firecrackers in front of his residence with the anticipation that his name would soon be announced.

Meanwhile in Delhi, Shivakumar met with Rahul Gandhi and Kharge. He is likely to return to Bengaluru later today or tomorrow.