NEW DELHI: Dispute between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar over the post of Chief Minister has intensified, putting the Congress, which regained power in Karnataka, in a crisis. Karnataka Congress is also moving towards the path of infighting which was seen in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

Shivakumar, who is standing firm on his stand that he was the one who brought a resounding victory to the Congress and deserves the post of Chief Minister, has rejected the high command formula. He also rejected the proposal to come to Delhi.

The high command thinks that it would be appropriate to make Siddaramaiah the Chief Minister and face the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It said that the CM post can be handed over to Shivakumar after two and a half years. It also assured him the post of Deputy CM and other departments until then. However, Shivakumar publically stated in Bengaluru yesterday that the party won 135 seats only because of his efforts and that he wants the post of CM for five years.

The Congress high command summoned both Siddaramiah and Shivakumar to Delhi after the AICC observers informed the leadership about the opinion of the MLAs. Siddaramaiah reached Delhi. Shivakumar, who had initially said that he would leave by night, later abandoned the journey citing ill health. He also attended his birthday celebration in Bengaluru.

In the evening, a preliminary discussion was held at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge in the presence of the organization's general secretary KC Venugopal. Kharge also met Siddaramaiah at night.

Currently, 85 MLAs have extended their support to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. While 45 MLAs told AICC observers that DK Shivakumar should be made Chief Minister, six MLAs are of the opinion that the High Command can take the final decision on the matter.