New Delhi/Bangalore:
Karnataka's next Chief Minister will be chosen after each of the Congress' 121 newly elected legislators have been consulted by a central team led by senior party leader AK Antony. That meeting has begun. Sources say a decision is expected by evening.
In the race are K Siddaramaiah, who is a backward leader with a big support base in the state. He has been the Opposition leader, is among those who scripted the Congress' successful campaign and is said to have an edge over the other contender, Union Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge.
Mr Siddaramaiah, a five-time MLA from Varuna in south Karnataka, is a backward caste leader from the Kuruba community. He was virtually the face of the Congress in these elections. But he is an import from the Janata Dal (Secular), was an HD Deve Gowda protege and has been a Congressman for only about six years.
Mr Kharge, on the other hand, has been a Congressman all his political life and has registered a formidable record - he has won nine straight times from the Gulbarg region in north Karnataka an is the only leader to have never lost in that area. The Dalit leader has always been in the running, but has been overlooked each time.
This time, as it became clear that the Congress would form the next government Mr Kharge sent a gentle reminder saying, "If the high command thinks I am capable of chief ministership, it is their choice... am willing to be the Chief Minister."
The Central team visiting Bangalore today includes Minister of State (Independent charge), Youth Affairs and Sports Jitendra Singh, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Madhusudan Mistry and AICC general secretary Luizinho Faleiro.