Karnataka: Amid celebrations in Siddaramaiah camp, party says, 'Delibrations on CM underway'

The Congress on Wednesday hit out at the BJP for criticising it over the delay in deciding the chief minister of Karnataka, and cited examples when the saffron party declared its chief ministers in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Assam several days after winning the polls. AICC general secretary in-charge for Karnataka Randeep Surjewala said that a section of the media has fallen victim to the "fake news factory of BJP on formation of next Congress government in Karnataka", asking whether they had questioned the prime minister the same way when he took seven to 10 days in deciding on chief ministers in several states. "We understand the frustration of BJP in being decisively rejected by the brother and sisters of Karnataka bringing an end to the #40PercentBJPSarkara. "I hope same people had questioned PM Modi when he took 7 to 10 days in deciding chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Goa and many other States. No one then whispered a word on the High Command culture. But the same forces and a select news outlets have objections to the process of dialogue, discussion, consensus adopted by Sh. Mallikarjun Kharge ji, which is in true democratic traditions," Surjewala said on Twitter.

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar returned to the residence of his brother and party MP DK Suresh, after meeting the party's in-charge for the state, Randeep Surjewala in Delhi.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala has reached Kharge's residence amid an ongoing tussle between DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah for the CM post in Karnataka. 

Congress' veteran leader Siddaramaiah cancellled his return to Bengaluru on Wednesday. 

Congress leader DK Shivakumar has sought an appointment with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra which depends on when she is returning from Shimla. 

Amid intense speculation over the next chief minister of Karnataka, the Congress has said a decision on it is likely on Wednesday or Thursday and a new cabinet in the state will be in place in the next 48-72 hours. The Opposition party asserted that Karnataka will have a five-year-long stable government and urged people not to believe in speculation and "fake news" which it alleged was being peddled by the BJP. Addressing the media outside Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's 10 Rajaji Marg residence where hectic parleys are on to decide on the party's chief ministerial pick with Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar being the top contenders for the post, AICC in-charge of state Randeep Surjewala said the party chief has been authorised to appoint the leader of the legislature party and that is why deliberations are underway. "Do not resort to any speculation, whenever a decision is taken by the Congress president, we will be happy to inform you. I am only here to quash multiple rumours and hearsay ...that are being played on multiple news channels. Please don't believe in it," Surjewala told reporters. Whenever Congress takes a decision either Wednesday or Thursday, the party will be the first one to inform the media, he said.

Supporters of Congress leader Siddaramaiah gathered outside his residence in Bengaluru. They also raised slogans and poured milk over his poster while celebrating the announcement of his selection as the state's next chief minister. 

Congress leader Siddaramaiah left from 10, Janpath after meeting party leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. 

The oath-taking ceremony to form the new government is likely to take place tomorrow afternoon. 

According to sources, Congress has finalised Siddaramaiah's name as the next chief minister of Karnataka.

Observer of Karnataka Jitender Singh met Rahul Gandhi at 10 Janpath in New Delhi. Several party leaders also met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge as suspense on CM's name continues. 

Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal has reached 10 Janpath in Delhi to meet Rahul Gandhi. According to sources, the Congress high command is likely to take a final call on Karnataka CM's name today. 

According to sources, several newly elected MLAs from Karnataka have reached Delhi's ITC Maurya Hotel to meet Siddaramaiah. The former Chief Minister has called everyone to meet him separately, they added. 

A day after meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka CM contenders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar will meet Rahul Gandhi today at 11:30 am. 

Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar, who is vying for the CM's post, told party President Mallikarjun Kharge that he took over the reins of the party in 2020 when no one was ready for the job. During their meeting, Shivakumar, it is also learnt, told Kharge that if he himself becomes the Karnataka Chief Minister, then he would not have any opposition to it and will support him fully. 

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain, while leaving from party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, said "There was no meeting. These were courtesy calls. Both (DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah) met the national president, discussed everything that happened in the election & gave him feedback. Consultations are still on at the national level. These will continue. As soon as a decision is made, we will tell you."

Amid the ongoing tussle, Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara also threw his hat in the ring saying he is ready to take up the responsibility if the party high command asks him to run the government. The former state Congress president said, the high command is aware of his service to the party and he doesn't feel the need to lobby for the post. "If the high command decides and asks me to run the government, I'm ready to take up the responsibility," the former deputy chief minister told reporters in Bengaluru.

Top party leaders are still tight-lipped on who was the probable choice for the chief minister's post and by when the decision would be taken. According to sources, discussions could also be held with Sonia Gandhi before the final decision is taken. Meanwhile, party's spokesperson Pawan Khera said that a decision on the appointment of the chief minister of Karnataka will be known in a day or two.