Karnataka govt formation highlights: Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar meet governor, stake claim to form govt

Congress leader K C Vengopal congratulated Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar on Twitter. He said, “Heartiest congratulations to Sh. @siddaramaiah ji and Sh. @DKShivakumar ji for being designated the next Chief Minister and Deputy CM of Karnataka! I am confident that your combined experience, empathy and dedication to public service will give Karnataka a visionary leadership…”

Vast experience in running the government and mass appeal across the state have favoured Siddaramaiah in the tightly contested race for Karnataka chief minister.

The Congress leadership threw its weight behind the 75-year-old Siddaramaiah keeping in view the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where his clout among the OBCs, SCs and Muslims would play a key role.

Siddaramaiah also brings to the table the experience of managing the government and competing interests of a caste and class-dominated Karnataka, having served as chief minister from 2013 to 2018.

The tallest among the state leaders, his persona and vote garnering abilities could not be ignored by the party, which is looking forward to capture as many seats in the next Lok Sabha polls, a senior leader said.

(PTI)

The Congress on Thursday named Siddaramaiah as the new chief minister of Karnataka and DK Shivakumar as his deputy, bringing an end to nearly a week of speculation following the party's statement win in the 2023 Assembly election. Shivakumar - who had refused to walk back his claim to the chief ministership till late last night, when Sonia Gandhi spoke to him - will remain the Congress' Karnataka unit boss till the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

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"Nothing is there. Our motive is to deliver the five guarantees to the people of Karnataka that we promised," says AICC General Secretary @kcvenugopalmp in response to media query on whether any power-sharing formula in Karnataka has been agreed upon, news agency PTI reported. 

DK Shivakumar, Karnataka's Deputy CM-designate spoke to reporters shortly after the formal announcement on CM decision by the party, and said, “Everything is well and will be well. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge said that we all have to work together and we accepted whatever formula has been generated.”

Randeep Singh Surjewala on Thursday said those who want to fight for democracy and save the Constitution can attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new Karnataka CM and deputy CM. 

“Our only formula is the service of people. Whoever wants to serve the people can do so, as much as they want. All our allies will be invited (to the oath-taking ceremony). This is not a celebration but Congress's dedication to democracy...those who want to fight for democracy and save the Constitution, can attend the event,” he said. (ANI)

Leaders of the Congress party presented a united front after the raging battle to become the next CM of Karnataka - between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar - came to an end with the formal announcement made by the party today. 

“Our hands will always be united to protect the welfare of the Kannadigas. The Congress party will work as a family to deliver a pro-people, transparent, corruption-free governance and fulfill all our guarantees,” CM designate Siddaramaiah tweeted.

DK Shivakumar, KPCC chief and new Deputy CM of Karnataka on Thursday tweeted, “Karnataka's secure future and our peoples welfare is our top priority, and we are united in guaranteeing that.”

With no mention of split terms, Congress leader KC Venugopal on Thursday said the party believes in consensus, not in dictatorship. After announcing formally that the CM and deputy CM posts are going to be handed to Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, respectively, he said, “On May 20, at 12:30pm, along with CM and Deputy CM, a group of ministers will be sworn in. We are inviting likeminded parties to the swearing-in.”

Congress leader KC Venugopal on Thursday addressed the media at the AICC headquarters and said, “Siddaramaiah will be the chief minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar will be the only one deputy CM in Karnataka. He will continue as KPCC president till parliament election is over.”

Karnataka Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar along with the party's state in-charge Randeep Surjewala held a breakfast meeting with the party's general secretary-organisation KC Venugopal earlier today. “Had a warm breakfast meeting with AICC General Secretary In-Charge Randeep Singh Surjewala ji, along with KPCC President Shri DK Shivakumar ji and Shri Siddaramaiah ji, the dynamic duo that won the hearts of Karnataka!” Venugopal tweeted.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday tweeted a photo of himself along with Karnataka's two prominent leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar - slated to become CM and deputy CM, respectively - at his residence and said, “Team Congress is committed to usher progress, welfare and social justice for the people of Karnataka. We will implement the 5 guarantees promised to 6.5 Cr Kannadigas.”

Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar were seen together at Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi on Thursday for the first time since it emerged that the former would be named Karnataka CM and the latter would be his deputy. The duo, who was all smiles, posed for a photo along with Kharge, which party leader Randeep Surjewala shared online.

Congress meet with Karnataka leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar at party General Secretary-Organisation KC Venugopal's residence concluded in Delhi a few mins ago. Other senior leaders including Dinesh Gundu Rao attended.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new Karnataka CM will see full attendance from the opposition, as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to invite several leaders.

Rahul Gandhi, Rai Bareli MP Sonia Gandhi, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior party leaders are expected to attend the event on Saturday in Bengaluru. (ANI)

The residents of Siddaramanahundi, the native village of Siddaramaiah were in full celebration mode as they set off crackers, raised slogans and distributed sweets. His brother Sidde Gowda, confident that Siddaramaiah will be chosen for the top post, told reporters, “There's a guarantee that Siddaramaiah will become Chief Minister. He has done good for the people. He introduced 'Anna Bhagya' scheme giving free rice to the poor people.”

On being asked about the high command's decision, 61-year-old Vokkaliga leader DK Shivakumar said on Wednesday, “There is nothing to tell...we have left it to the high command...High command will take the call. I'm going for rest." 

HT had reported on Wednesday that Shivakumar had been offered six other portfolios apart from the deputy chief minister post. It is not yet clear which portfolios will be handed to him.

Former Karnataka CM Sadananda Gowda on Thursday said both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar had “vested interestd”. "What happened in Rajasthan, same thing will happen here (in Karnataka). The vested interests of individuals - Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar - are clearly visible. It is quite unwarranted in democratic setup," he said.

Congress leader and former Deputy CM Dr G Parameshwara, who was being seen as a third contender for the Karnataka CM post on Thursday said, “Let AICC officially make an announcement about whom to give which position, and then the rest of the things will follow.” (ANI)

Both senior leaders of the Congress Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar on Thursday morning left for party leader KC Venugopal's residence in Delhi. DK Shivakumar was seen arriving at leader's home, where he confirmed that a decision has been taken by the high command. "The party high command has taken a decision," he said. Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao is also set to meet leaders at Venugopal's residence.

Karnataka's new deputy CM, DK Shivakumar said he agreed to a compromise in the larger interest of the party. “We have a commitment before the people of Karnataka. Parliament elections are ahead. So, I have to bow to the AICC president and the Gandhi family. In the larger interest of the party (I have agreed to the formula) and why not, because sometimes the ice should break. Ultimately, there is a responsibility towards what we have a commitment to the people of Karnataka and we have to deliver,” he said.

Congress MP and DK Shivakumar's brother, DK Suresh on Thursday said he is “not fully happy” with the party high command's decision to select Siddaramaiah as the next CM of Karnataka. “I am not fully happy but in the interest of Karnataka we wanted to fulfil our commitment...That is why DK Shivakumar had to accept. In future we will see, there is a long way to go. ...I wish it (CM post for DK Shivakumar) but it didn't happen, we will wait and see,” he said. (ANI) 

As Congress leaders shuffled in and out of meetings ahead of the party's official announcement on the next Karnataka CM, former Karnataka Congress President Dinesh Gundu Rao was seen leaving from AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal's residence in Delhi.