Karnataka next CM: Siddaramaiah gets the call from Delhi, Shivakumar says ‘I have not...’

Karnataka assembly elections saw Congress seal a historic win. However, the question still remains unanswered- Who will be the next chief minister of Karnataka? Front runners and presumed favourites are former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar. 

Supporters of both Congress heavyweights have rallied for their favourite to take up the governance's head position. Reports have stated that All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge will declare the name of their CM candidate today, 15 May. 

Notably, Kharge has been in Delhi since Sunday while Congress leaders in Karnataka held a meeting to elect their Congress Legislative Party leader in Shangri-La hotel in Bengaluru. After the meeting it was declared that the leaders will leave the decision making for CM post of Karnataka up to Congress high-command. 

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are the frontrunners for the CM's post.

A development that has occurred in this respect is that Congress veteran and frontrunner for the state's Chief Minister post, Siddaramaiah on Monday left for Delhi, upon receiving a call. 

The Call that Shivakumar is yet to receive. 

According to news agency PTI, the 75 year-old leader left for the national capital by a special flight to meet AICC leaders, hours after Congress observer Sushil Kumar Shinde said CM aspirants Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar would be called to Delhi for consultations.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief DK Shivakumar, who is celebrating his birthday today said that he has done his duty and now it was up to the party's high command to take a call.

"We have passed a one-line resolution. We will leave it to the party's high command. I have not decided to go to Delhi. I have done whatever job I have to do," Shivakumar, an eight-time MLA told reporters.

Amid rapid speculations that have emerged from all parts of society juxtaposed with anticipation, the people of Karnataka who registered record voter turnout for the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Elections 2023, patiently wait for their new CM. 

While Siddaramaiah poses the experience of being the CM of Karnataka 2013-18, for Shivakumar the role would be a first time stint. 

Siddaramaiah is considered close to Rahul Gandhi and apparently has his backing. However, Shivakumar is known as the party troubleshooter and also for his closeness to Gandhi family, especially Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The Congress won the May 10 Assembly elections, winning 135 seats. Congress pushed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in the only southern state it ruled and boosting its own prospects for the electoral battles ahead.

How the powerplay pans out within the Congress and for the voters ok Karnataka is a story for when Mallikarjun Kharge decides to make the anticipated crucial announcement- the next CM of Karnataka. 

One has to mark, the adrenaline on this assembly elections- from campaign to next CM- is remarkably high!