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DK Shivakumar has been offered to become Siddaramaiah’s deputy & to succeed him after initial two years
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah will be the new chief minister of Karnataka, Congress leaders confirmed after his meeting with Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday morning.
In an effort to accommodate both leaders and maintain harmony within the party, Congress has proposed a formula whereby Siddaramaiah will serve as chief minister for the first two years, after which Shivakumar will take over for the remaining term.
As per the Congress’ resolution deal, Shivakumar – the state Congress chief credited for the party’s resounding victory – has also been offered the position of deputy chief minister for the initial two years.
Congress leaders in New Delhi said that as per the deal proposed to Shivakumar, a majority of Cabinet berths will be given to the Congress MLAs from his camp.
Sources in the DKS camp, said that he is likely to accept the proposal.
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Siddaramaiah will take oath as the 24th chief minister of Karnataka in Bengaluru on Thursday.
As per sources in the Congress party, approximately 30 Congress MLAs and MLCs will also be administered oath by Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot as state ministers. It is anticipated that four additional ministers will be inducted into the state Cabinet at a later stage.
Meanwhile, Sunni Ulma board chairman Shfi Sadi has called on the party to appoint a Muslim deputy chief minister and assign five other Muslim MLAs to ministerial portfolios such as home, revenue, and education.
Sadi stated during an emergency meeting at the Sunni Ulma board office, “We already said before the elections that the deputy chief minister should be a Muslim and that 30 seats should be given to us… We got 15, and nine Muslim candidates have won. In about 72 constituencies, the Congress won purely because of the Muslims. We, as a community, have given a lot to the Congress. Now it’s time we get something in return.”
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The decision follows days of uncertainty, marathon meetings and public drama as both leaders asserted their claim on the Karnataka crown. While Siddaramaiah is viewed as a proven administrator with a long experience of running government, supporters of DK Shivakumar argued that the young leader must be given a chance as a recognition of his unwavering loyalty and for his hard work behind the party’s victory in the state.
In its first meeting on Sunday, the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) had passed a one-line resolution authorizing Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to choose the chief minister.
In the Karnataka Assembly polls, Congress emerged victorious, securing 136 seats out of the 224-member Assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 65 seats, while the Janata Dal (Secular) secured 19 seats. Additionally, two independent candidates and parties such as Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha each won one seat in the elections.
