Cong resolves Karnataka crisis: Siddaramaiah is CM, Shivakumar lone DCM |
India`s leading Opposition party, The Indian National Congress Party (INC), scored a landslide victory to win back Karnataka state from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But, soon after victory, the party was locked in a standoff between its two top leaders, former Chief Miniser Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar, who both wanted the top job of Chief Minister. The logjam was finally resolved on 17 May and after a scheduled Congress Legislature Party meeting on 18 May, decks were cleared for Siddaramaiah to be Chief Minister again. However, D K Shivakumar won the second tier battle by ensuring he will be the only Deputy Chief Minister and his supporters will get some key ministerial portfolios in the state Cabinet. Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and a slate of Ministers will take oath of office on May 20 at a major ceremony in the biggest stadium in the state capital, Bengaluru. The tussle for CM job was resolved late Wednesday, 17 May 2023, in talks between Congress and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former President Rahul Gandhi and current president Mallikarjun Kharge. Negotiations with the factions went on until early Thursday 18 May 2023 morning. Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala were deeply involved in the negotiations. In the final scenario at the CLP meeting on 18 May, the sole Deputy Chief Minister, Shivakumar, would suggest the name Siddaramaiah as CLP leader and next CM of Karnataka. The Congress leadership, including party Chief Ministers, will be present for the swearing-in ceremony at Bengaluru Kanteerava Stadium. The Congress also intends to use the occasion to demonstrate the unity of the Opposition by inviting prominent figures. Congress swept back to power on May 13 with an overwhelming victory against the ruling BJP. Reports suggest that Shivakumar was initially unwilling to serve as Siddaramaiah`s deputy chief minister, but Kharge was able to broker a compromise by sending Venugopal and Surjewala to work out the specifics of the deal during talks between the two leaders. It is also believed that Shivakumar insisted and Congress leadership relented on giving up an earlier proposal of appointing three Deputy Chief Ministers. Shivakumar has battled corruption allegations, a point against making him CM. Also, Siddaramaiah seems to have won with critical votes from the Muslims and lower castes which are important for the national general elections to the Lok Sabha in India in 2024.
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