BENGALURU: The Congress central leadership has finally picked Siddaramaiah to be the chief minister of the state and a formal announcement is likely by today (Wednesday) evening.
After a meeting with Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah is believed to have agreed to be CM for two years with state Congress president D K Shivakumar as Deputy CM and 20 MLAs of his camp as ministers.
Following Siddaramaiah’s departure, Shivakumar also met Rahul Gandhi and held discussions separately. He was being convinced to accept that Siddaramaiah will be CM for two years and then he can take over for the remaining three years.
It is learnt that Sonia Gandhi too called up Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar and advised them not to fight publicly and to maintain a balance in party and government affairs.
Congress MLA Ashok Pattan, who was in Delhi confirmed to Public TV that Siddaramaiah will be the chief minister. “The forma announcement will be made today itself and the swearing-in ceremony is likely on Monday as other CMs of non-BJP states and leaders of regional parties have to be invited. The Karnataka governor will not be available on Saturday and Sunday. He is returning to Bengaluru only on Sunday night, so the swearing-in ceremony will most likely be held on Monday”, he said over phone.
Another party MLA, Pushpa Amarnath too confirmed that Siddaramaiah will be chief minister. “We are thankful to Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I met Siddaramiah after his meeting with Rahul Gandhi and he is happy. A formal annoucement will make be made today”, she said over phone.
Meanwhile, hectic preparations are being made at the Sri Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru for the swearing-in ceremony, which is expected to take place at 3.30 pm on Thursday where about one lakh people are expected. The police are also making all necessary security arrangements.