NEW DELHI: DK Shivakumar has reiterated that he will not join the cabinet if Siddaramaiah is made the Chief Minister in the first term. On the other hand, Siddaramaiah said that he will not be in the cabinet if he is not given the post of chief minister for the first two years. With this, the high command in Delhi is finding it hard to come to find a solution regarding the formation of government in Karnataka. It has been confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony will not take place today.

During the discussions held yesterday at the residences of Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge, DK Shivakumar insisted that he wants the post of Chief Minister in the first term itself. Shivakumar rejected the assurances given by Rahul in the discussion held at No 10 Janpath residence in the absence of Sonia Gandhi. It is learned that Sonia Gandhi participated in this discussion online from Shimla and later contacted Shivakumar on the phone. It is not clear whether Sonia will reach Delhi today.

However, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala said that the chief minister will be announced within two to three days. Last night, Surjewala tried to persuade Shivakumar in person. Discussions are continuing late at night at Kharge's residence.

The high command is trying to find an immediate solution so as not to repeat the situation where the rift between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot left the government in crisis.