Karnataka CM fight intensifies; Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar arrive in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Amid the tussle for the post of Chief Minister in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar reached Delhi. Both are holding separate discussions with the Congress high command. Siddaramaiah arrived with a group of loyal ministers. The discussions are taking place at the Congress headquarters, Indira Bhavan. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have also reached Delhi.

Siddaramaiah made it clear that he will abide by any decision taken by the Congress high command. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have been at loggerheads over the chief minister's post since the Congress government in Karnataka completed two and a half years last November. DK claims that the high command promised him the chief minister's post in 2023 after two and a half years.

The high command, amid trying amicably to solve the dispute, had requested the leaders to wait until the end of the assembly elections in various states. The dispute, which had been quiet for a while, resurfaced after the assembly elections. The high command is indicating that a consensus will be reached with the Delhi talks.

Siddaramaiah became the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka in January last year. He surpassed the record of Congress leader and former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs. Seniority and being the only Dalit leader among the current Congress Chief Ministers are factors in Siddaramaiah's favour. He has the support of over 100 of the 136 Congress MLAs.