New Delhi: With the race for Karnataka’s new chief minister heating up between old warhorse Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, the latter will hold talks with the Congress central leadership in Delhi on Tuesday over the issue of government formation in the southern state. Prior to his departure, Shivakumar made it clear that he would not resort to ‘backstabbing or blackmailing’ regardless of the party’s decision.
He said, “If the party wants, they can give me the responsibility… We have a united House, we are 135. I don’t want to divide anyone here. Whether they like me or not, I am a responsible person.” I will.” Don’t backstab and I won’t blackmail,” DK Shivakumar told news agency ANI.
Later speaking to reporters, when asked whether he would ask the high command to make him the chief minister, Shivakumar said he had done “his duty”.
“People have blessed us (Congress). We have to make a united effort to save and increase people’s faith… Congress party is our mother, temple, everything,” he said.
Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, who are locked in an intense power struggle over who will head the new Congress government in Karnataka, were called to the national capital for discussions by the party’s central leadership. While Siddaramaiah arrived in Delhi on Monday afternoon amid intense lobbying for the top post, Shivakumar canceled his visit citing health issues.
The Congress has a tough task to satisfy both the leaders. Since it came to power by winning 135 seats in the elections held on 10 May for the 224-member assembly.
Earlier on Sunday, the Congress Legislature Party meeting held at a hotel in Bengaluru unanimously passed a resolution authorizing party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to choose who would be the next chief minister of Karnataka. Three central observers of the Congress, who held talks with the newly elected MLAs of the party on their choice for the chief minister, then briefed Kharge and submitted their report on Monday.
Congress is in no hurry to choose the new Chief Minister of Karnataka
AICC in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala on Monday said the party was in no hurry to choose the new chief minister and would take a decision after extensive consultations with state leaders.
“The observers have submitted the report to the Congress president. We will hold consultations with all senior state leaders, including Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, and then a decision will be taken by the Congress president,” he told reporters outside Kharge’s residence after the meeting. ” ,
He said the Congress president believes that the decision should be taken keeping in mind unity, consensus, consensus and the welfare of Kannadigas.
Kharge is likely to take a decision on the next chief minister of Karnataka after holding consultations with the top Congress leadership, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
DK Shivakumar’s ‘pressure tactics’
Amidst various claims about the number of MLAs supporting him and Siddaramaiah for the post of Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar said on Monday that his strength is 135Because the party won seats in the state under his chairmanship.
“We had proposed a line that we would leave the matter to the party high command, after that some would have shared their personal opinion. I don’t have the strength to speak about other’s numbers, my strength 135 is, I am the party president and under my chairmanship the party has won 135 seats in Karnataka against the double engine (BJP) government, corrupt administration and suffering of the people.
His move is now being seen as a ‘pressure tactic’ to stake his claim to the top post and signals that the leadership battle in the southern state is far from over.
Siddaramaiah vs DK Shivakumar
Siddaramaiah is 75 A leader with mass appeal and experience in running a government For a full five-year term from 2013-18. He is also considered close to former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and apparently has his support.
However, he is not so much associated with the party organizationally and is still considered an outsider by the Congress old guard as he was earlier with the JD(S).
Shivakumar, on the other hand, has strong organizational abilities and is known to be resourceful. The 61-year-old is also called the Congress’s troubleshooter during difficult times and has the support of the prominent Vokkaliga community, its influential seers and leaders.