Karnataka: Power play for CM post, Siddaramaiah in Delhi, Shivakumar cancels tour

New Delhi: Suspense over the new chief minister of Karnataka escalated on Monday as state Congress president DK Shivakumar canceled his visit to the national capital citing health issues after being called for discussion by the central leadership. ,

Sources said the three central observers discussed the choice of party legislators for the chief minister’s post after the Congress Legislature Party meeting on Sunday and briefed party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and submitted their report.

Former chief ministers Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were called by the party high command for further discussions on government formation. Siddaramaiah reached the national capital this afternoon but Shivakumar canceled his visit, hours after confirming he would fly to Delhi, fueling speculation that factional fighting in the Karnataka Congress has reared its head again.

Shivakumar cited health reasons for the change in his travel plans. “I have some stomach problem. Doctor is coming in ten minutes. It is burning. Looks like I have some infection and I have fever….Please let me be free…” he told reporters . Sources close to him confirmed that he is not going to Delhi today.

Amid speculation about the number of MLAs supporting him and Siddaramaiah for the CM’s post, Shivakumar had earlier on Monday said their strength was 135 as the party won seats in the state under his chairmanship.

Shivakumar’s move is seen by many as a “pressure tactic” to stake claim to the top post, indicating that the leadership battle in the southern state is far from over. The three observers deputed by the Congress — Sushilkumar Shinde, Jitendra Singh and Deepak Babaria — returned to the national capital on Monday morning.

Sources said he along with AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka and organization’s general secretary KC Venugopal met Kharge and discussed the views expressed by the legislators.

The deliberations in Delhi were preceded by intense consultations, one-on-one interactions with legislators and even a ‘secret ballot’ during and after the Congress Legislature Party meeting in Bengaluru. After the resounding victory of the Congress party in the assembly elections held on May 10, the party has a tough task of appeasing the two camps and is working on a ‘formula’.

The Congress Legislature Party on Sunday passed a resolution authorizing party president Mallikarjun Kharge to decide the chief ministerial candidate. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have never hidden their ambitions to become Chief Minister

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar said that the central leadership has called him. “Since today is my birthday, a lot of people have come to wish me. I have to go to my deity with my family, and after that, I will leave for Delhi. I don’t know at what time I will leave ” for Delhi. I will take whatever flight is available to me,” he had said.

Senior party leader BK Hariprasad said that during the interaction with the observers, the MLAs were asked for their open feedback on their choice of chief minister and a secret ballot was also held for the name of the chief minister. The observers have brought the ballot boxes with them to Delhi.

Kharge can take a decision soon on who will be the next Chief Minister in Karnataka. He is also likely to consult the top Congress leadership, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, before arriving at a decision.

Meanwhile, the party is also preparing to make the Chief Minister’s swearing-in ceremony a big show of strength, in which many leaders of the opposition will be invited. Supporters of both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar raised slogans projecting him as the next chief minister outside the Congress Legislature Party meeting on Sunday evening.

Soon after the party won the election, a poster war broke out by the supporters of both the leaders. While Siddaramaiah is a leader with mass appeal, popular among all sections, and has the experience of running a full five-year government from 2013-18, Shivakumar has strong organizational abilities, making him resourceful and efficient during difficult times. Considered the troubleshooter of the Congress. Has the support of the influential Vokkaliga community, its influential seers and leaders.

Congress MP Naseer Hussain told reporters that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were senior Congress leaders and together they fought against the BJP. Both led the fight from the front, both tried their best to strengthen the party. Both have contributed to the victory of the Congress, but only one can become the Chief Minister of Karnataka. CLP,” he told reporters outside Kharge’s residence.