BENGALURU: As the suspense over the next Karnataka Chief Minister continues, sources informed that the Congress party may reach the final decision by Tuesday.
The central observers of Congress for Karnataka have submitted their report to party president Mallikarjun Kharge who will consult UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi to arrive at a final decision, party sources said.
The name of the next Karnataka CM will be announced in the coming 24 hours, they said. Reacting to the suspense, AICC in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the party will stand up with the 6.5 crore Kannadigas.
“Congress party will stand up to the pledge made to 6.5 crore Kannadigas…the observers have submitted their written report to the Congress President…he will look into the report, will hold deliberations with state leaders & other central leaders and will take an appropriate call,” he told the reporters.
Congress leader H K Patil said,”In my view, it (the name of the next Karnataka CM) will be decided by Tuesday evening. Our process is still on.”
Former chief minister Siddaramaiah, who is a contender for the post, reached Delhi on Monday. “Let’s wait and see…I don’t know…” the former CM said when asked about the next CM.
Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar, who is also a contender for the post of Chief Minister, said he has a stomach infection and will not be travelling to Delhi on Monday. He will reach Delhi on Tuesday, according to his brother and MP D K Suresh.
Congress president DK Shivakumar said that all the MLAs are together and the call will be taken by the party high command. He said there is huge support from the party cadre for him to be made the chief minister. “The party high command will take a call. I don’t want to comment or speak anything more. Whatever I had to speak, I have spoken already. I do not want MLAs (support)…that is not important to me. Ours is a Congress block. 135 is the number and one more ally member. We all are one and will work together”.
On being asked if he thinks that he should be considered for the CM post for taking the party to victory as the KPCC chief, he said, “I don’t want to comment on that. In politics, it only matters who won or who lost. It doesn’t matter how the win took place. With the grace of God, we have got good numbers. Now, we have to work for the trust and confidence the people have shown”. (ANI)