Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has emerged as the frontrunner for the Chief Minister post, holding an edge over Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President DK Shivakumar. Following the Congress party’s impressive performance in the recent state elections, more newly-elected MLAs at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) expressed their preference for Siddaramaiah over Shivakumar.
During the CLP meeting held in Bengaluru on Sunday, observers met individually with all the MLAs to record their views. Siddaramaiah, recognizing his prominence, is scheduled to travel to Delhi today to meet with senior Congress leaders. In contrast, Shivakumar, who had previously met the Congress observers, announced that he would not be going to the national capital.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and party leaders Jitendra Singh and Deepak Babaria attended the meeting as observers. The CLP passed a one-line resolution, leaving the decision to the party’s high command. DK Shivakumar stated that he is ready for any responsibility bestowed upon him.
At the meeting, MLAs unanimously passed a resolution authorizing party president Mallikarjun Kharge to decide on the name of the Karnataka Chief Minister. The session, which began late on Sunday night and continued until 1:30 am, involved all 135 newly elected MLAs. The views of the MLAs were recorded by the observers during the night, with sources indicating that Siddaramaiah received more favorable opinions.
Several Dalit, minority, tribal, and OBC MLAs expressed their preference for Siddaramaiah, while others left the final decision to the Congress high command. After reviewing the observers’ report, Mallikarjun Kharge will hold discussions with the Gandhi family to determine the candidate for the top post.
Following the Congress party’s landslide victory in the Karnataka Assembly elections, supporters of Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar have put up posters in the state demanding their respective leaders be declared the Chief Minister.
In the recent assembly polls, the Congress secured 135 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 66 seats, and the Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) managed to secure only 19 seats. Additionally, two independents, as well as one seat each from the Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha, were also won.
