Siddaramaiah, a Congress veteran and frontrunner for Karnataka CM post, left Delhi’s Lodhi Hotel late Monday night, hours after meeting top AICC leadership here.
Siddaramaiah, on the other hand, remained silent and did not interact with the reporters. According to ANI, the former Chief Minister will spend the night at the ITC Maurya in the national capital.
The 75-year-old leader arrived in the national capital by a special flight on Monday evening to meet AICC leaders. “Let’s wait and see…I don’t know…” Siddaramaiah said when asked about the next CM, earlier.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar’s brother DK Suresh also arrived in Delhi and met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence on Monday evening.
“I have met the AICC chief. I meet him whenever I come to Delhi. The same way I met him today. Our AICC general secretaries will let you know about other issues,” Suresh told reporters.
The wait for a new Karnataka chief minister continued on Monday, when DK Shivakumar cancelled his trip to Delhi, citing health concerns, after the AICC’s top leadership summoned him and Siddaramaiah for a meeting.
According to ANI citing party sources, the central observers for Karnataka have already submitted their report to party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who will consult UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi before making a final decision.
“The name of the next Karnataka CM will be announced in the coming 24 hours,” they said.
The Congress registered an emphatic victory in the Karnataka polls.
Reacting to the suspense, AICC in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the party will stand up with the 6.5 crore Kannadigas.
“Congress party will stand up to the pledge made to 6.5 crore Kannadigas…the observers have submitted their written report to the Congress President…he will look into the report, will hold deliberations with state leaders & other central leaders and will take an appropriate call,” he told the reporters.
Congress leader HK Patil said, “In my view, it (the name of the next Karnataka CM) will be decided by tomorrow evening. Our process is still on.”Former chief minister Siddaramaiah, who is a contender for the post, reached Delhi on Monday.”Let’s wait and see…I don’t know…” the former CM said when asked about the next CM.