Karnataka: DK Shivakumar has been a CM-in-waiting for long. After a thumping victory in recently-concluded Karnataka elections, the Congress leader had hoped that his long-withstanding dream was finally going to be realised. However, things this time too didn't work according to his wishes. After a parley of meetings with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge last evening, the party announced that Siddaramaiah was going to be the next Chief Minister.
But, how did DK Shivakumar agree?
If reports are to be believed, DK Shivakumar was convinced by Sonia Gandhi, whom he treats like his mother. He also pledges an unflinching loyalty to the Gandhi family. According to reports, DK Shivakumar was told that Siddaramaiah was going to be the CM before his meeting with Rahul Gandhi. He was also told that Congress wanted to make three deputy CMs - a Lingayat and a Dalit and Shivkumar. However, Shivakumar didn't agree to the arrangement.
It was then, AICC president Sonia Gandhi was approached to convince the disgruntled leader. It was only then that Shivakumar was convinced to be the only deputy chief minister. According to sources, Shivakumar agreed to leave the CM aspiration only after the promise that he will be the only deputy chief minister.
Rotational CM
Shivakumar wanted to become the CM for 3 years out of 60 months. However, much of the deliberations with Randeep Surjewala and KC Venugopal, Shivakumar understood that Congress can't afford a similar situation like Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. So he was satisfied with the verbal assurance regarding the power-sharing deal.
Sonia Gandhi assured DK Shivakumar that when his turn comes, he will be made CM. He also agreed that the CM will be changed in two and a half years.
