The Congress’ central leadership continued to hold talks to select the new Karnataka Chief Minister, days after a thumping win in the State Assembly elections.
After hectic parleys on May 17 to break the deadlock in deciding on the Congress’ chief ministerial pick in Karnataka, sources told The Hindu that the high command is “working” on Mr. Shivakumar, who wants the Chief Minister’s post or nothing at all.
State Pradesh Congress Committee president D.K. Shivakumar, one of the claimants to the top job, arrived in Delhi on May 16 afternoon to hold discussions with the party top brass on the formation of the Congress Government.
Former CM Siddaramaiah, the other aspirant for the post, had already arrived with his supporters in New Delhi on May 15.
Top leadership of the Congress party held talks at the residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge. Former party chief Rahul Gandhi too met Mr. Kharge and held closed-door talks with the Congress chief.
Digging his heels in, Mr. Shivakumar told central leaders that Mr. Siddaramaiah, while Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and while Chief Minister, had held his personal interests above that of the party’s.
Mr. Kharge held another round of meetings with the Congress leaders on May 17.
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