Highlights: Siddaramaiah In Delhi, Suspense Remains Over Karnataka Chief Minister's Post

Karnataka 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. 

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.

Karnataka 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. 

Randeep 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.

"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.

After 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 .