Mallikarjun Kharge said the AICC observers would convey the views of the party legislators to the high command, after which a final decision would be taken. (File photo: PTI)
In a one-line resolution, the Congress Legislature Party in Karnataka authorized Kharge to decide on the CLP leader who would become the chief minister.
Who will become the Chief Minister of Karnataka? The million-dollar question has so far remained unanswered as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) gave party president Mallikarjun Kharge the power to decide the CM.
As the first CLP meeting was being held in Bengaluru on Sunday, supporters of both Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah – frontrunners for the CM’s post – were raising slogans in support of their leaders.
However, at least for now, the CLP avoided a Catch-22 situation where it had to choose one leader over the other and authorized Kharge to take a call.
Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah are the two faces of the Karnataka Congress who led their party to surprise victories. Kharge now has the herculean task of rewarding the leaders but it appears to be a no-win scenario.
Here are the latest updates on the saga after the Congress victory in Karnataka:
- In a one-line resolution, the Congress Legislature Party in Karnataka authorized Kharge to decide on the CLP leader who would become the chief minister.
- Ahead of the CLP meeting, AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal and central observers held a meeting with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
- After the meeting, Congress’ Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala posted a picture on Twitter with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar and wrote “Congress is united”.
- Top Vokkaliga seers have thrown their weight behind Shivakumar and said that the Congress should make him the CM. He said that he will not keep quiet if his self-respect is hurt.
- Lingayat community leaders have taken a “neutral” stand in the Karnataka CM row. Of the 51 Lingayat candidates fielded by the Congress, 38 have won.
- According to CNN-News18’s sources, ahead of the CLP meeting in Bengaluru on Sunday, Siddaramaiah held a meeting with Congress MLAs in Bengaluru.
- Congress appointed three central observers including senior leader Sushilkumar Shinde in Karnataka. Besides Shinde, former Maharashtra chief minister, the other observers are party general secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria.
- DK Shivakumar clarified that he had no “differences” with Siddaramaiah, adding that he had made sacrifices for the party and cooperated with the former chief minister.
- Sources said that Mallikarjun Kharge had a telephonic conversation with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi regarding the formation of the Karnataka government.
- Mallikarjun Kharge said the AICC observers would convey the views of the party legislators to the high command, after which a final decision would be taken.