New Delhi. The period of uncertainty over the Chief Minister in Karnataka ended late on Wednesday night after three days of intense consultations and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s sustained efforts as well as Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi played an important role in this. Sources say that DK Shivakumar, who was strongly asserting his claim on the post of Chief Minister, relented when Kharge and the Gandhi family, especially Sonia Gandhi, assured him of full respect and resolution of all concerns.
The Congress officially announced on Thursday morning that Siddaramaiah will be the Chief Minister of Karnataka and State Congress Committee President DK Shivakumar will be the ‘sole’ Deputy Chief Minister in the new government. On May 14 in Bengaluru, the three Congress observers Sushil Kumar Shinde, Jitendra Singh and Deepak Babaria met the MLAs and took their opinion through secret ballot. After this, the churning phase started in Delhi from 15th May and continued till late night of 17th May. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and party’s state in-charge Randeep Surjewala were also active in the conversation.
Siddaramaiah reached Delhi on Monday itself, DK took time
The high command called both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi. Siddaramaiah reached Delhi on Monday itself, but Shivkumar did not come to Delhi that day citing health reasons. After this the situation started to appear complicated. The next day, on Tuesday, Shivkumar reached Delhi. After consultations with Kharge, Surjewala and Venugopal, the two leaders met former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday and then the talks reached the final stage. Sources say that these days Sonia Gandhi, who is present in Shimla, also spoke to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar and asked Kharge and Rahul to resolve the matter soon.
DK Shivkumar relented after talking to Sonia Gandhi
Sources told that Shivkumar relented after talking to Sonia Gandhi. According to Congress sources, Shivkumar was adamant about the Chief Minister’s post. He said that he has worked hard for three years and the party got a resounding victory when he was the president, so he should get the most important post. Sources said that Rahul Gandhi asked both the leaders to sit together and meet Kharge to sort out the matter. After this Kharge, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were asked to meet Venugopal and Surjewala.
Some conditions were satisfied, Shivkumar will be the only deputy CM
Sources say that Shivkumar got ready on the assurance that he will be the only Deputy Chief Minister in the government and will continue to be the President of the Pradesh Congress Committee for the next one year and will get full respect. Sources close to Shivakumar say that he decided to bow down because of his dedication to the Gandhi family and the party.
.
Tags: Congress, DK Shivakumar, Karnataka
FIRST PUBLISHED : May 18, 2023, 21:19 IST
