Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar have expressed their claims to the position as the Congress party in Karnataka is finalizing the Chief Minister following a resounding victory in the Assembly elections.
According to sources within the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the idea of sharing the Chief Minister position with Shivakumar has been proposed by Siddaramaiah. This suggestion aims to accommodate the aspirations of both leaders. Siddaramaiah has put forth a condition that he wants to hold the position for the first term and then step down after two years, allowing Shivakumar to assume office for the remainder of the term.
The Congress high command faces a challenging situation as both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have garnered substantial support from their respective communities. Siddaramaiah represents the Kurba community, while Shivakumar represents the Vokkaliga community. This delicate position requires the party to ensure that both leaders’ interests are taken into account while maintaining unity and balancing community considerations.
A challenging situation is now faced by the Congress high command as substantial support has been garnered by both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar from their respective communities. While Siddaramaiah represents the Kurba community, Shivakumar represents the Vokkaliga community. This delicate position requires the party to ensure that the interests of both leaders are taken into account while maintaining unity and balancing community considerations
The final decision on the Chief Minister will be announced by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge after thorough consultations. Kharge will engage with AICC observers, including former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Jitendra Singh, and Deepak Babariya. Additionally, consultations will be held with key figures within the Congress party, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, as well as AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal and General Secretary AICC, Randeep Singh Surjewala. These consultations aim to gather different perspectives and ensure a well-considered decision that upholds the party’s interests and secures a stable leadership for Karnataka.