Siddaramaiah to lead Karnataka, unconfirmed reports say Shivakumar rejects post of Dy CM

BENGALURU: After four days of political unrest, a decision has been taken to make Siddaramaiah the next Chief Minister of Karnataka. The announcement of it will be made soon. Reports said though the post of deputy chief minister post was offered to Congress chief D K Shivakumar, he has not accepted it. The decision was taken in the discussion held by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi with both leaders.

D K Shivakumar, who is turning his back on high command’s move to make Siddaramaiah the chief minister for the first two years, thawed after the talks held between Sonia and Rahul.

The high command promised Shivakumar portfolios including home, post of deputy chief minister for the first two years and the post of chief minister for the next three years. However, DK is firm in his stand that if not made the chief minister first, he will not enter the cabinet.

Shivakumar has not responded to the high command's direction that the party needs Siddaramaiah's clean image to face the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and that he should step aside as he faces corruption charges. The high command also pointed out that Siddaramaiah has the support of 85 MLAs.

D K Shivakumar claimed credit for the victory in Karnataka and demanded the chief minister’s post in the first term.

A long discussion on the AICC observers' report at Kharge's residence ended on Monday night with the decision to make Siddaramaiah the chief minister in the first term. It was also decided to bring Shivakumar to Delhi and settle things. Then Shivakumar flew to Delhi as per the directions of Sonia Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi, who reached Kharge's residence in the afternoon held discussions for two hours in a closed room.