As choosing the chief ministerial candidate has become an acid test for the Congress after its massive victory in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly polls, the party high command reportedly summoned Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to New Delhi to decide on the party’s choice for the CM’s post.
On the other hand, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D.K. Shivakumar, who too is aspiring to become the Chief Minister ans is celebrating his 62nd birthday today cancelled his Delhi visit, citing stomach infection.
Also Read | How the Congress won an absolute majority in Karnataka
Mr. Siddaramaiah on Monday (May 15) afternoon arrived in the national capital where he is likely to meet top party leaders ahead of the decision on the next Karnataka Chief Minister.
The former Chief Minister, who is likely to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge later this evening, did not speak with the media at the Delhi airport.
There has been intense lobbying for him and his party colleague D.K. Shivakumar, the frontrunners for the CM’s post.
Under my presidentship Congress won 135 seats: D.K. Shivakumar
“I am the party State president and under my presidency, Congress has won 135 seats in Karnataka,” Mr. Shivakumar said on Moday.
“Congress central leadership has called me and Siddaramaiah to Delhi,” the State Congress chief added. “I am a single man, I believe in one thing that a single man with courage makes a majority. I have proved it,” Mr. Shivakumar said.
Another senior leader B.K. Hariprasad will go to Delhi on Monday evening, sources in the party said.
On Sunday, the Congress legislature party (CLP) passed a one-line resolution authorizing the AICC president to appoint the new leader of the Congress Legislative Party, who will also become the Chief Minister.
(With inputs from PTI)
