Karnataka Politics highlights: ‘High command will take a call,’ says DKS ahead of Congress's meet tomorrow

Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on being asked about forming the new government and the CM post said, “Let's wait and see...I don't know...” (ANI)

Karnataka's CM candidate DK Shivakumar on Monday expressed gratitude for West Bengal chief minister's statements about extending her support to Congress party. 

 “I'm really happy that today Mamata Banerjee has come out with some statement & various other leaders as well...it is good for the opposition,” Shivakumar was quoted as saying by ANI.

Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar said the party's high command will take a call on the chief minister tussle and that he will try reaching Delhi tomorrow, ANI reported.

“We all are one and we will work together,” said Shivakumar ahead of Congress's meet to decide on the CM post.

Congress central observers for Karnataka have submitted their report to party president Mallikarjun Kharge over the decision of Karnataka chief minsiter, ANI reported citing sources.

Kharge will further consult UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to make the final decision and the name will be announced in next 24 hours.

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain on Monday said that both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar have led the election battle from the front and that both did their best. “But only can become the Karnataka CM, let's see what is the opinion of the members of CLP,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar amid the CM tussle in the state said he will not be travelling to Delhi on Monday citing to a stomach infection. “There are 135 Congress MLAs. I don't have any MLAs. I've left the decision to the party high command,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

All India Congress Committee in charge of Karnataka and MP Randeep Surjewala on Monday said “observers will submit their report” regarding Karnataka chief minister post to party president Mallikarjun Kharge, ANI reported.

Congress leaders Jitender Singh and Sushil Shinde who are also the central observers for deciding on Karnataka's chief minister, arrived at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi, ANI reported.

One of the Congress central observers who will decide on chief minister for Karnataka, Deepak Babaria reached Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi, ANI reported.

Congress leader DK Shivakumar before leaving to Delhi for talks over Karnataka CM post said, “I'm a single man, I believe in one thing that a single man with courage becomes a majority...When all our MLAs left the party (2019 JD(S)-Cong coalition govt), I didn't lose my heart.” (ANI)

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar before leaving to Delhi for talks with high command over chief minister post said, “I assured Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Kharge that my only aim is to deliver Karnataka (to the Congress party).” (PTI)

Karnataka Congress cheif DK Shivakumar told that, under his leadership, there are 135 MLAs and they conveyed their voice to the high command. “The decision is on the hands of high command. Under my leadership, all 135 MLAs conveyed their views. I will leave to New Delhi after meeting my family members on birthday.” 

Congress state head and senior leader DK Shivakumar is likely to leave for New Delhi on Monday evening, reported newsagency ANI. He was seen waving at his supporters who gathered outside his house on his birthday. DK Shivakumar is one of the key contenders for Karnataka's CM post. 

Responding to the Karnataka Congress' win, Bihar Deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav said, “The result in Karnataka is the proof that BJP can be defeated if we stay united. Nitish Kumar, Lalu ji and I had tried for the same and not to become the CM or the PM.” 

BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya said that the Congress in Karnataka must choose the CM candidate soon and fulfil the five poll promises. He also alleged that the state finances will be damned if the Congress implements the poll promises. 

Amit Malviya tweeted, “The Congress must decide on its CM candidate soon since people are waiting for them to fulfil their 5 guarantees, which will cost the exchequer 51,150 crore (doesn’t include free bus passes promised) and is 21.6% (will be higher after accounting for free bus passes) of Karnataka’s total budget.”

Congress leader Bhanwar Jitendra Singh who is also one of the observers in CLP meeting said, "We have held meetings for 4 to 5 hours last night and spoke to all MLAs. We prepared a report and it will be submitted to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. 

Sushil Kumar Shinde, Deepak Bawaria and Bhanwar Jitendra Singh who were appointed as observers in the CLP meeting arrived at the national capital on Monday afternoon. They will submit the report from last night's to Congress high command. 

Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah will reach the airport in a few minuted as a crucial meeting is scheduled between the high command and the former CM. He will me meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the national capital this afternoon. The Congress party is likely to announce the Karnataka's next CM by end of the day. 

KPCC president DK Shivakumar met Congress general secretary Sushil Kumar Shinde in Bengaluru on Monday. Shinde greeted DK Shivakumar as it is his birthday today. The observers have already headed to the New Delhi to submit a report on CLP meeting last night. 

The supporters of DK Shivakumar who is outside his Bengaluru residence have been raising slogans and demanding the party to make their leader the CM. One of the supporters told ANI, “I have been celebrating DK Shivakumar's birthday for 20 years now and every time I meet him, I ask him when is he going to be the CM. We are also waiting to write ‘CM’ before the DK Shivakumar name on the cake. Siddaramaiah has already served as a CM and our leader must be given a chance this time. He will fulfil all the promises.” 

Karnataka's Congress MLA Ajay Singh clarified that there is no difference of ioinion among the leaders on Karnataka's next CM. He said, "The opinions of all the leaders are collected and the observers will submit a report. There is no difference of opinion or the conflict of interest among anyone. High command's decision will be the final one 

Former CM Siddaramaiah who is also aiming to be CM for the second time will be heading to the national capital this afternoon. He is expected to hold discussions with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi as the party might announce the Karnataka CM. Meanwhile, the other contender DK Shivakumar told that he did not decide anything on the Delhi trip. 

Bhanwar Jitendra Singh, who is one of the AICC observers told that the team took the views of all elected MLAs for rounding off a CM name. He said. “The meeting went till 2 am last night and our observers team took the views of all MLAs. We will head to New Delhi and submit the report to high command.” 

KPCC president and CM aspirant DK Shivakumar told that his Delhi trip is not yet finalised. Speaking with the reporters, DK Shivakumar said. “Today is my birthday and I have many rituals to attend. I have not decided anything on the Delhi. Our party has passed a one line resolution and high command will decide who the next CM is. I have done what needs to be done.” 

The observers of All India Congress Committee(AICC) who were in Bengaluru for the CLP meeting will return to the national capital today. They will prepare a report on the CLP meet and will submit to the Congress high command, which is set to play a crucial role in roundinf off the next CM of Karnataka.