Cong Leader Shivakumar to Be in Delhi Tuesday for Discussion on Karnataka Govt Formation

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar will arrive in Delhi on Tuesday to hold discussions with the party’s central leadership on the issue of government formation in the state amid intense lobbying for the chief minister’s post.

He and Siddaramaiah, both frontrunners for the post of chief minister, were called to Delhi for discussions by the central leadership of the Congress. Shivakumar, however, canceled his visit to the national capital on Monday evening citing health issues, leading to speculations that all was not well in the party.

Siddaramaiah is in Delhi since Monday.

In a statement, his office said the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president would leave for Delhi by a 9.50 am flight from Kempegowda International Airport here.

Three central observers of the Congress, who held talks with the party’s newly elected MLAs on their choice for chief minister, briefed party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and submitted their report on Monday.

The Congress Legislature Party meeting held at a hotel in Bengaluru on Sunday unanimously passed a resolution authorizing Kharge to choose who would be the next chief minister of Karnataka.

Shivakumar is locked in an intense power struggle with Siddaramaiah over who will head the government since the Congress stormed to power in the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly by winning 135 seats.

Amid speculation about the number of MLAs supporting him and Siddaramaiah for the post, Shivakumar on Monday said their number was 135 as the party won 135 seats under his leadership.

In the just-concluded assembly elections, the Congress won an emphatic victory with 135 seats, while the ruling BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) led by former prime minister HD Deve Gowda secured 66 and 19 seats, respectively.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)