Karnataka govt formation: Hours after being named as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka by the Congress high command, veteran leader Siddaramaiah said that the party will remain united in order to protect the interests of the people. "Our hands will always be united to protect the welfare of Kannadigas.
"The Congress party will work as a family to deliver a pro-people, transparent, corruption-free governance and fulfil all our guarantees," he wrote on Twitter, sharing a picture with Congress chief Mallikaarjun Kahrge and the Deputy Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar. The picture shows all three of them smiling and raising their hands together.
Meanwhile, supporters of Siddaramaiah were seen bursting firecrackers in Bengaluru on Wednesday. They also poured milk on his poster and chanted slogans for him outside his residence after it was reported that the veteran leader would once again take charge as the CM of the state.
ALSO READ: Karnataka: Siddaramaiah to be next Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar his deputy as Congress impasse ends
DK Shivakumar to be only Deputy CM in state
Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah met General Secretary KC Venugopal in New Delhi. After their meeting, Venugopal held a press conference and confirmed Siddaramaiah's name as Karnataka's next Chief Minister, ending days of uncertainty. Speaking further Venugopal said DK Shivakumar will be the only deputy chief minister in the state.
Earlier on Wednesday, Karnataka's two Chief Ministerial aspirants -- Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar-- also held separate meetings with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi as the party held hectic consultations to decide on who would lead the government in the southern state.
Congress extends gratitude to Karnataka people
Further, the Congress General Secretary also gave the credit for the party's emphatic victory in Karnataka to the people of the state. Referring to Siaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, he said there is a desire to be Chief Minister and "both of them deserve it also".
"I would like to sincerely thank the people of Karnataka for the victory of the Congress and for standing by the party. Our president Khargeji, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and all the CMs campaigned extensively," Venugopal added.
What Congress said on power-sharing formula?
Asked about the much-talked-about power-sharing formula between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, Venugopal said the only power-sharing formula is to share the power with the people of Karnataka. "Ours is a democratic party, we believe in consensus and not in dictatorship," he said on the hectic discussions held over the last few days.
It should be mentioned here that Congress had emerged as the single largest party in Karnataka after winning the May 10 assembly election. It won 135 seats in the 224-member Karnataka assembly, while BJP managed 66 seats.
(With inputs from agencies)
