Suspense In Delhi As Congress Moves To Pick Karnataka’s Next Chief Minister

The dilemma within the Congress to pick its chief ministerial candidate may soon be over.

The three observers appointed by the party will submit their report to the high command tonight following which an official announcement will be made. According to sources, Siddaramaiah has told the high command that he would be chief minister for two years, following which D K Shivakumar could be at the helm for the remaining three years. Shivakumar is said to have rejected this option.

Shivakumar however does not seem to be relenting and before he left for Delhi, he said that his power is his 135 MLAs who had won under his leadership. He also said that he had promised to deliver in Karnataka and he has done so.

Sources tell OneIndia that while the report will be submitted tonight, an announcement would officially be made by Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday. The Congress has however maintained that the swearing-in-ceremony would take place on Thursday.

Supporters of both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah shouted slogans ahead of the legislature party meeting that took place on Sunday.

Siddaramaiah has said that he has done the job that he had been tasked with and now it is up to the high command of the party to take a final call on the matter.

Although it is a well known fact that both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah are contenders to the top post, the Congress has put up a united front all through its Karnataka election campaign. Post the victory, the party continued to put up a united front with Kharge, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar addressing a joint press conference.

Siddaramaiah made the proposal to be chief minister for two years citing his age and also the fact that he would never be contesting an election again. Shivakumar on the other hand said that he would not agree to this option.