With the ball now in Kharge's court, lobbying for the top post is set to shift to Delhi with both the contenders expected to arrive in the national capital on Monday to meet Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and the AICC chief. DK Shivakumar reportedly says he wasn't called for it.
Karnataka chief minister contenders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar were expected to be in New Delhi today, a day after the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) passed a unanimous resolution authorising All India Congress Committee (AICC) President M Mallikarjun Kharge to pick its leader.
But in recent updates when asked about the meeting, DK Shivakumar responded that he has not received any calls about the decision or going to the national capital yet, he also said, "I have done whatever job was given to me. We have sent a one-line resolution to Delhi."
While reports confirm that Siddaramaiah will be visiting Delhi today.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, the swearing-in for the chief minister will be held on May 18, to which all like-minded parties will be invited.
The CLP meeting in Bengaluru was attended by AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal and three central observers. With the ball now in Kharge's court, lobbying for the top post is set to shift to Delhi with both the contenders expected to arrive in the national capital on Monday to meet Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and the AICC chief.
After the CLP meeting, Randeep Surjewala, AICC in-charge for Karnataka, said: "The MLAs will meet the central observers after dinner tonight and their decision will be conveyed to the party president for taking a decision to appoint a new CLP leader." Venugopal said, "This process of taking the opinion of all MLAs will be completed tonight itself."
A large number of supporters had gathered outside Shangri-La hotel, where the meeting was taking place and raised slogans.
The legislature party passed another resolution, moved by Shivakumar, promising to implement the five promises made to the people of Karnataka. The resolution stated the Congress Legislature Party in Karnataka "wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude towards the 6.5 crore Kannadigas for reposing their faith in us and giving a decisive mandate to the Congress Party in the Karnataka Assembly Elections."
"This is indeed a victory of every Kannadiga, a victory of 'swabhimana' of Karnataka and a victory of progress and harmony to rebuild 'Brand Karnataka'," it said. "...Karnataka has once again shone a new light to democracy and protecting the Constitution, which are under attack from the forces of hate and divisiveness, both from inside and outside the State," the resolution stated.
It also expressed its appreciation and thanks to Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and state leaders for their efforts. The resolution stated, "It is no coincidence that the Congress campaign in its true earnestness began way back in September-October 2022 during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, when Rahul Gandhi walked nearly 600 kilometres for a period of 21 days through the length and breadth of Karnataka, which immensely energised the cadre to take on the malgovernance, corruption and maladministration of the ruling BJP government."
The CLP said it shall ensure social justice and economic equality remain at the core of its government's policies and will fulfil the five "guarantees".
These are -- 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to woman heads of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), 10 kg of rice free to every member of BPL households (Anna Bhagya), Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youths and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (Yuva Nidhi), and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti).
(With inputs from PTI)