It has been four days since the party registered a thumping victory in the state, but the grand old party is still desperately trying to broker peace between the two top contenders – former chief minister Siddaramaiah and state party chief DK Shivakumar.
The tussle for the top job between the two has hogged the headlines much to the embarrassment of the Congress. This has led to speculations about the possible compromise formulas that are on the table to break the deadlock.
With no end in sight to the ongoing drama, the Congress on Wednesday was forced to come out with a clarification denouncing the rumours doing the rounds.
Party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala blamed the BJP for spreading rumours about power struggle within the Karnataka unit. He said deliberations are on and a decision will be taken today or tomorrow.
Wary of the negative fallout of this prolonged crisis, the Congress has also warned its leaders not to speak out of turn.
Here’s a look at the top developments during the day:
Split Karnataka CM terms for Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar back on table
Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar, who met party president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on Tuesday, continued to stake claim to the chief minister’s post, forcing the leadership to put off the crucial decision until Wednesday. Party circles in both Bengaluru and New Delhi remained thick with speculation about Shivakumar sticking to his claim even after the leadership sweetened its offer to him by promising him a three-year term if he agreed to Siddaramaiah presiding over the CMO for the first two years of the tenure.
05:13
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to announce name of new Karnataka CM in the next 24 hours, says Randeep Surjewala
Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar meet Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi separately
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar and both met with party leader Rahul Gandhi in the national capital. Shivakumar was seen arriving at the residence of his brother and party MP DK Suresh in the national capital today. Meanwhile, supporters of Siddaramaiah were seen bursting firecrackers in Bengaluru.
‘Will have new cabinet in next 48-72 hours’
Congess leader Randeep Surjewala said that a decision on the next Karnataka chief minister will be announced soon and a new cabinet will be in place within 72 hours. He also dismissed speculative reports that Siddaramaiah was likely to be named the chief minister once again.
08:43
I have no differences with Siddaramaiah: DK Shivakumar
“Delibrations are currently underway by party president Mallikarjun Kharge. Whenever Congress makes a decision we will inform you. In the next 48-72 hours, we will have a new cabinet in Karnataka,” he told reporters.
Delay shows lack of unity in Congress, says BJP’s Bommai
Taking a jibe at the Congress party over the delay in deciding Karnataka chief minister, former CM Basavaraj Bommai said that it shows a lack of unity in the party despite getting a full majority.
Talking to reporters, the former CM said that the people of Karnataka voted for the Congress party so it must work to bring development in the state. “Delay in deciding the CM despite getting a full majority shows a lack of unity in the party. The Congress Party must stop playing politics, select a new CM and serve the people by forming the government”, Bommai said.
Congress hits back at BJP for questioning delay in deciding Karnataka CM
The Congress hit out at the BJP for criticising it over the delay in deciding the chief minister of Karnataka, and cited examples when the saffron party declared its chief ministers in Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Assam several days after winning the polls.
AICC general secretary in-charge for Karnataka Randeep Surjewala said that a section of the media has fallen victim to the “fake news factory of BJP on formation of next Congress government in Karnataka”, asking whether they had questioned the prime minister the same way when he took seven to 10 days in deciding on chief ministers in several states.
Any out of turn remark on Karnataka will be deemed ‘indiscipline’: Congress to party leaders
The Congress has warned the party leaders to not make any out of turn remarks as it will be treated as “indiscipline” and action will be taken accordingly.
In a tweet, Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, who is also the in-charge of Karnataka, targeting the BJP and media said: “A section of our dear friends of the media have fallen victim to the fake news factory of BJP on formation of the next Congress government in Karnataka”
“We understand the frustration of BJP in being decisively rejected by the brother and sisters of Karnataka bringing an end to the 40 per cent BJP Sarkara”.
(With agency inputs)
