New Delhi: The Congress is yet to announce its pick for Karnataka Chief Minister after an emphatic victory in the recently-held assembly polls. The party's national leadership and a team of observers met in Delhi on Monday to deliberate on the issue. State party chief DK Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah have both expressed their ambition for the top post.
In the May 10 elections to the 224-member Assembly, the Congress scored a massive victory with 135 seats, while the ruling BJP and the former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19, respectively.
Here are the LIVE updates on Karnataka Government Formation:
Karnataka Observers To Meet Congress Chief Again Tomorrow: Randeep Surjewala
Congress observers, who met Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge today, will again meet him tomorrow. They have submitted the report over the MLAs' choices for Karnataka Chief Minister, said party in-charge of the state Randeep Surjewala. "Mr Kharge will go through the report and have extensive deliberations with state and central leaders. The report is confidential. No decision has been taken yet. Consultative decisions will be held," he said. Surjewala further said that neither Siddaramaiah nor DK Shivakumar has met Mr Kharge yet.
DK Shivakumar Likely To Visit Delhi TomorrowKarnataka Congress chief DK Shivkumar is likely to leave for Delhi tomorrow but the timing is not yet certain. His brother DK Suresh visited the party's national chief Malikkarjun Kharge's residence today.
Advantage BJP If DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah Don't Resolve This: Jagadish Shettar
"Everyone expected a hung assembly, but I have been saying that Congress will get the absolute majority. Due to very rude behaviour by some BJP leaders, my self-respect was hurt. I have nothing against the BJP, but against these leaders, I wanted to teach them a lesson and that has been done now. I request DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah to sit together and discuss. I respect the high command to resolve this dispute. Both these leaders are mature leaders. If not, it will be advantage for the BJP," said Jagadish Shettar, who defected to the Congress after BJP refused him a ticket to contest the Karnataka polls.
"They Should Have Courtesy To Acknowledge...": DK Shivakumar To NDTV
Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar said he has left it to the party high command to decide who will be the Chief Minister. In an exclusive interview to NDTV, he said he was called to Delhi by the party high command, but had to skip the visit since he was unwell. On being asked if the party will give him a birthday gift (in form of Chief Ministership), he said it's not in his hands and that "my assurance to them was that I will deliver Karnataka."
"Sonia Gandhi told me (pointing at a photo of him with Sonia) I have confidence in you that you will deliver Karnataka. I am sitting here, doing my regular responsibility. You should have the basic courtesy, a bit of gratitude. They should have the courtesy to acknowledge who is behind the win. I won't blackmail, that's not me. Don't perceive anything. I have my own presence of mind. I am not a child. I won't fall in a trap," he said.
"I Took Responsibility During Hard Times": DK Shivakumar To NDTVKarnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar said he is skipping his Delhi visit tonight since he is unwell. "I will first get the checkup done. I have some stomach infection, then I will go," he said. In an exclusive interview to NDTV, the Chief Minister aspirant also wished Siddaramaiah all the best. "I worked hard, I took responsibility during the hard times. I know how many raids have taken place at my friends' place, none of my friends are ready to pick up their friends. I know that pain. Today's my birthday, people are very happy, they want to wish me. Because of political pressure, I can't meet the MLA," he said.
DK Shivakumar Speaks To NDTV After U-Turn Over Delhi Visit
Karnataka Congress Chief DK Shivakumar is speaking exclusively to NDTV after he cancelled his visit to Delhi. He is among the Chief Minister aspirants from Karnataka along with veteran leader Siddaramaiah, who is in Delhi.
Karnataka Observers To Submit Report To M Kharge: Congress's Randeep SurjewalaRandeep Surjewala, Congress in-charge of Karnataka, said today that the state observers will submit their report regarding the next Chief Ministerial choice to party president Mallikarjun Kharge, after which the government will be formed in the state very soon. "Three observers were sent to Karnataka by the party. They held discussions with each and every MLA about the desired situation in the state and the type of leadership required. The observers will submit their report to Mallikarjun Kharge by tonight. We will also discuss it with other leaders. After this, the party organisation, general secretaries and I will take the issue forward. Very soon, the new Congress government will be formed in the state," the Congress MP said.
Siddaramaiah To Meet Congress Chief After Karnataka Observers Submit Report
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah, who reached Delhi this evening, will meet party chief Mallikarjun Kharge after Karnataka observers submit their report regarding the party MLAs' Chief Ministerial choices. Siddaramaiah, who is among the aspirants for the top job, is set to leave for Mr Kharge's residence shortly.
DK Shivakumar Takes U-Turn, Won't Visit Delhi Tonight
DK Shivakumar has taken a U-Turn and dropped the idea of going to Delhi tonight.
Karnataka Congress Observers To Meet Party Chief M Kharge Shortly
Karnataka Congress observers to meet party chief Mallikarjun Kharge shortly. For now, only three observers will meet Mr Kharge with their report.
"Whichever Flight Is Available...": DK Shivakumar To Fly To Delhi Soon
"I will finish a program, pay respects to the god and then go to Delhi. Yesterday, 135 MLAs have given their opinion and passed an one-line resolution. A few have expressed their personal opinion. My power is the 135 MLAs. Under my leadership Congress has won 135 seats. Our high command had called me and Mallikarjun Kharge. I'm late. I just want to communicate to all media friends since you have wished me. Whichever flight is available I'll go to Delhi. We assured in writing also that we will work, rest the High command will decide," said DK Shivakumar.
Karnataka Congress Chief DK Shivakumar To Go To DelhiKarnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar said he will go to Delhi today.
"My aim was only to deliver Karnataka to Congress. When all our MLAs went out, I didn't lose my heart. Mallikarjun Kharge has his own stakes in the state. Gandhis have confidence in us. We will leave the matter to them," Mr Shivakumar told reporters today.
He is among the potential candidates for the Chief Minister's post after his party bagged a single majority in the May 10 elections in Karnataka. Another aspirant for the post, Siddaramaiah has has already reached Delhi.
Siddaramaiah Arrives In Delhi Amid Suspense Over Karnataka Chief Minister
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah has arrived in Delhi. He left the airport without speaking to the media. His colleague and Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar is also expected in Delhi today. Both tall leaders of Karnataka Congress harbour ambition to become the Chief Minister.
After Karnataka Defeat, BJP's Basavaraj Bommai Meets RSS Leaders In BengaluruAfter BJP's defeat in the Assembly polls, outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai today met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders in Bengaluru and held discussions regarding the poll outcome and organising the party for the future. This was Mr Bommai's first visit to the BJP's ideological parent organisation's state headquarters 'Keshava Krupa' in Bengaluru after the poll results were declared on May 13. "We have discussed the overall poll results. We have also discussed how to organise the party in the days to come with the guidance (of RSS). Our state President (Nalin Kumar Kateel) and leadership will also hold discussions, and after that we will discuss on how to organise the party in the days to come," Mr Bommai told reporters as he emerged from the RSS office .
DK Shivakumar To Arrive In Delhi Later Today
Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar will be in Delhi later today, sources said. The other Karnataka chief minister hopeful, Siddaramaiah, is also expected to meet the party's national leadership in Delhi today.
Siddaramaiah To Head To Delhi Today As Karnataka CM Race Heats Up
Siddaramaiah will be in Delhi later today with the party holding high-level meets to decide on their chief minister pick in Karnataka. He is expected to land at 3.45 pm.
Congress Victory In Karnataka Best Birthday Gift For Me: DK Shivakumar
Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar said the thumping victory of the party in the May 10 Assembly elections is the best birthday gift possible given to him by the people.
"My life is dedicated to serving the people of Karnataka", said Shivakumar, an eight-time MLA who celebrated his 62nd birthday on Monday.
Karnataka CM Swearing-In On Thursday Or Saturday: Sources
According to sources, the new Karnataka Chief Minister could be sworn-in on either Thursday (May 18) or Saturday (May 20). The party is yet to announce their pick for the state's top job.