Discussions still going on, decision soon on Karnataka chief minister: Surjewala

BENGALURU: Just a couple of hours ago, when it seemed that the Congress may have sorted out its leadership issue in Karnataka after both contenders for the chief minister’s post — Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar — met Rahul Gandhi at 10, Janpath, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala said discussions are still going.

This comes amid Shivakumar’s apparently firm stand on the chief minister’s post during his meeting with Rahul Gandhi. He was apparently offered the Deputy CM’s post along with continuing as KPCC president for two years after which he could take over as CM. But he has remained firm that he wants to be the CM for the full term.

Surjewala told media persons in Delhi on Wednesday afternoon, “A lot of speculations are going on. Deliberations are currently being held by party president Mallikarjun Kharge. I have met up with the PCC president and CLP leader myself. The two leaders went and met Rahul Gandhi today and they have also met the AICC president. The AICC president has been authorised to appoint the new leader of the Congress legislature party unanimously and that’s why the deliberations are currently under way. Whenever a decision is taken by the Congress president, we will be happy to inform you. Whenever Congress party takes a decision, either today or tomorrow, we will be the first ones to inform everyone”.

Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar arrives at the residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi on Wednesday.

He alleged that the BJP, “which is frustrated by the by the decisive defeat in Karnataka and the mandate given by 6.5 crore Kannadigas to the Congress”, is planting fake cards and news. “The party is committed to the welfare of each Kannadiga, to fulfill its five guarantees, implement its agenda, giving a clean transparent and responsible government. It’s only a matter of today or tomorrow and we will have a new CLP leader. Within the next 48-72 hours, we will have a new cabinet in Karnataka and in the first cabinet meeting, we will implement the five guarantees and begin the work of rebuilding brand Karnataka all over again. Karnataka will have a five-year-long stable government committed to peace, progress and harmony.

“Kharge saheb believes in three principles — consensus, unanimity and unity. He will announce after holding due deliberations”, Surjewala added.

Meanwhile, after holding discussions with Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar headed to meet Kharge and is believed to have told him to impress upon Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi that there could be trouble in the coming days if Siddaramaiah is made chief minister. He is also said to have suggested to Kharge to become chief minister himself even as Kharge tried to convince him to accept the deputy CM’s post.