After a three-day wait, Karnataka awaits the decision on its next chief minister with bated breath, which Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to announce today.
The two main contenders are Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, a former CM and leader of the opposition.
Siddharamiah will be the CM for two years and the rest of three years Dk Shivakumar will take over. That is the arrangement being made and to be announced by the AICC Chief Kharge.
Other CM aspirants in the Congress including senior leader and former deputy CM G Parameshwara have pitched themselves for the post as well. Kharge held a number of meetings with party leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Congress central observers, newly-elected MLAs and the two main contenders Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.
In the larger interest of the party I have agreed to the decision of the party said DK Shiva Kumar. I had to agree in the interest of the party he said.
Karnataka Congress general secretary Satish Jarkiholi said that surveys showed that Siddaramaiah is a more popular choice for the chief minister post than Shivakumar but added that even as deputy chief minister or minister, the latter would be an important part of the government.
“Siddaramaiah is a person who has presented 13 budgets. DK Shivakumar is the KPCC president and has done lot of hard work. But the party doesn’t win because of one person. I believe the party will take the opinion of all MLAs and come to the right decision,” he said.
