New Delhi: A day after meeting Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the outgoing Karnataka Assembly, Siddaramaiah Wednesday arrived at the residence of Rahul Gandhi for a meeting.
Siddaramaiah, who is said to be the front-runner for the chief ministerial post in the state arrived at 10 Janpath for the meeting.
According to party sources, the meeting is being dubbed as a courtesy meeting and the first after party’s thumping victory in Karnataka.
The former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a meeting with Kharge Tuesday evening.
Siddaramaiah had arrived in the national capital Monday afternoon by a special flight.
Before Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar had also met Kharge at his residence. Shivakumar arrived in Delhi Tuesday afternoon after cancelling his Monday trip due to stomach infection.
According to party sources, Kharge is likely to make an announcement on the new Karnataka chief minister on Wednesday after discussing the observers’ report with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former party chief Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi, party general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala Tuesday afternoon held a long discussion with the party chief to decide on the new Karnataka chief minister. The meeting of the senior Congress leaders lasted for over one and half hours.
Party sources Monday night had said that the Congress chief will decide on the next CM of Karnataka after discussing the result of the secret ballot voting with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former party chief Rahul Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi is currently in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla.
All three observers submitted their report to Kharge and the meeting of the party leaders lasted for over five hours Monday.
Veteran leaders Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are vying for the top post.
Sources said that despite Siddaramaiah getting the majority during the secret ballot, Shivakumar is not willing to budge. He is claiming that he had delivered the victory to the party and hence deserved the chief minister’s post.
Congress had won 135 seats in Karnataka whereas ruling BJP managed to win only 66 and the JD(S), which was hoping to play the role of a kingmaker, was reduced to 19 seats.
IANS
