Big dilemma before AICC is how to accommodate Siddaramaiah if Shivakumar is chosen as CM

Newly-elected Congress MLAs opted for secret ballot to select leader of the legislative party following the Karnataka Assembly elections.

Even after a resolution authorising Kharge to choose the CLP leader was passed, the MLAs were asked to vote for their preferred chief minister in a secret ballot as part of what AICC observers believed to be the proper procedure for choosing the CLP leader.

As AICC is still finding it difficult to find the right choice between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, high command calls both to Delhi by evening for discussion and finalisation. Discussion on the issue is expected to spills over Tuesday or Wednesday.

Some inside rumours reveal that some elected MLAs suggested ‘power sharing’ and asked high command to give first two years to Siddaramaiah and then 3 years to DK Shivkumar.

All 135 MLAs have voted for their candidates. MLAs have been asked to write name, who should be next CM? All MLAs have recommended names of their choice in writing to high command, some have written both names of Dks and Siddu, some have suggested Dr G Parameshwara, some Kharge, some Lingayats and MB patil have suggested.

Dks refuses power sharing formula, cites Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh cases. Both leaders have reached to all MLAs seeking support.

The sources said that both are more or less equally poised. There is big challenge for high command, ‘how to accommodate Siddaramaiah, if Dks is chosen as CLP leader’.

DKS has worked hard for the party. It is well aware of dks’ efforts in the last three years. Denial of CM post to dks might send wrong message to cadre as DKS has created a narrative that he is a shining example as a party loyalists.

On the other hand many say since Siddaramaiah is aging, he wants to get the first leg running upto at least 2024 parliamentary elections.

It’s DK’s organisational skills versus Siddu’s administrative skills fight.

Observers to take ballot box to AICC and open in front of Kharge and count. The name of person who gets max votes to be kept secret as this was only for collecting opinion.

The outcome of the voting will be conveyed to the central leadership.

Sources indicate that oath ceremony of new cm and 30 cabinet members will be taken place on 18 May, Thursday.

It will be interesting to see the new face of Karnataka CM amid ongoing tussel.

In the 2023 Assembly elections, the Congress got a clear majority by winning 135 seats, while the BJP won 66, the JD(S) 19, and others won four.