Suspense continues over Karnataka’s next CM, DK Shivakumar says, ‘going for rest now’

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing suspense over the next Chief Minister of Karnataka, state Congress chief DK Shivakumar said on Wednesday that he has left the decision to the high command, which will take the final call. A weary Shivakumar, who reached Congress general secretary KC Venugopal’s residence, said, “I am going to rest.” When asked about the meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Shivakumar had earlier said, “Nothing, no discussion. Just greetings…”

It has been four days since the Congress registered an emphatic victory in the Karnataka assembly polls, ousting the BJP from its only southern state, but the party is still mulling over the choice of the next chief minister. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and party in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala and party leader MB Patil arrived at the residence of party national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday evening.

#Watch , Delhi: Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar arrives at the residence of General Secretary KC Venugopal.

He says, “Nothing to tell… We have left it to the high command… The high command will call. I am going to rest.”#KarnatakaCmres pic.twitter.com/JK0dSdhUnn

– ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2023

Earlier this evening, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar met Surjewala at his residence. DK also held discussions with party leaders and supporters at the residence of his brother MP DK Suresh here. Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar also met former MP Rahul Gandhi in Delhi amidst the continuing suspense over the possible names.

ALSO READ: Two former ministers blame Siddaramaiah for the fall of the JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka in 2019

The official media handle of Congress shared pictures of Rahul Gandhi with the two leaders
Describing Gandhi as a people’s leader, the Congress tweeted, “Rahul Gandhi ji met DK Shivakumar ji and Siddaramaiah ji after the massive victory in Karnataka.”

Jannayak wins after landslide victory in Karnataka @Rahul Gandhi from g @dkshivkumar g and @siddaramaiah Ji met. pic.twitter.com/rMmMAduxfe

– Congress (@INCIndia) May 17, 2023

Karnataka’s next CM will be announced today or tomorrow: Surjewala

Earlier, Congress’ Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala said that the decision regarding the next Chief Minister of Karnataka would be announced today or tomorrow and the new cabinet would be formed within 72 hours. Surjewala also dismissed speculations that Siddaramaiah could be nominated as the Chief Minister once again.

He told reporters, “Currently the deliberations are being held by party president Mallikarjun Kharge. We will inform you whenever the Congress takes a decision. In the next 48-72 hours, we will have a new cabinet in Karnataka.”