I have no differences with Siddaramaiah: DK Shivakumar

Following Congress’ resounding victory in the Assembly elections, speculation has focused on who will serve as the state’s chief minister. On Sunday, state party president DK Shivakumar said he has no disagreements with Siddaramaiah, who is thought to be the front-runner for the position.

“Some people said that I have differences with Siddaramaiah. There are no differences between us,” said DK Shivkumar while addressing a press conference in Tumkur on Sunday. Hours prior to the Karnataka Congress chief’s comments, the supporters of each leader had posted posters referring to them as the “next CM” of Karnataka.

“Many times I have sacrificed for the party. I sacrificed and helped and stood with Siddaramaiah. Wasn’t I patient when I was not made a minister in the beginning? I have given cooperation to Siddaramaiah,” he said.

After decisively defeating the BJP in Karnataka on Saturday, the Congress now has to choose the next chief minister amid rumors that Siddaramaiah is the front-runner, followed by state party chief DK Shivakumar.

Karnataka Congress leaders, including the party president and newly elected MLAs of the party, will hold a Congress Legislature Party meeting today in Bengaluru with the goal of making a decision. Reports claim that the leaders will adopt a resolution empowering the party’s high command to choose the faces of the chief minister and the deputy chief minister.

According to sources, “Siddaramaiah is the clear front-runner for the position of the chief minister, so the Congress high command is in favor of making him the chief minister.”

“Siddaramaiah is the first front-runner for the CM Post, so the Congress high command is in favor of making him the chief minister,” sources said. They added that in recognition of his efforts, the party’s leadership had offered him the position of Deputy CM.

“Shivakumar has also been offered an important ministry,” sources said.

After winning the elections in Karnataka, which the party referred to as a “stepping stone to the Lok Sabha polls,” sources claim that Congress wants to project OBC Kurba Samaj member Siddaramaiah for the position of chief minister.

By 1,22,392 votes, DK Shivakumar defeated JDS candidate B Nagaraju in the Kanakapura constituency, and Siddaramaiah defeated BJP candidate V Somanna for the Varuna assembly seat.

According to the Indian Election Commission, the Congress won 135 seats, ousting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from power in the only southern state it had previously controlled and improving its own chances in future elections. This year BJP was able to capture 66 seats in Karnataka. JDS (Janata Dal-Secular) won 19 seats. Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha each won one seat, giving independents a total of two seats.