MLAs leave it to Congress chief as decision on Karnataka CM hangs fire | Top points

Here are the top developments:

• MLAs wholeheartedly expressed their gratitude towards the 6.5 crore Kannadigas for giving a decisive mandate to the Congress in the state. “This is indeed a victory of every Kannadiga, a victory of the Swabhimana of Karnataka and a victory of progress and harmony to rebuild ‘Brand Karnataka’,” an official statement said.

• “By the historical verdict of May 13, 2023, Karnataka has once again shone new light on democracy and protected the Constitution, which are under attack from the forces of hate and divisiveness, both from inside and outside the state, it said.

• The CLP thanked Sonia Gandhi for “being a pillar of strength to the party and for her guidance and campaign”, Rahul Gandhi for his “relentless campaign, which resonated with the masses” and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for “her untiring and impactful campaign and roadshows”.

• The Congress Legislature Party said it is resolved to work in a determined and united way to give a responsible, accountable, transparent government to our brothers and sisters of Karnataka, its resolution said. Social justice and economic equality will be at the core of the government’s policies, the CLP resolution said, adding that the party is committed to the welfare of the people and will fulfill the five guarantees.

• Meanwhile, the chairman of Waqf Board, Shafi Sadi, has demanded that the deputy chief minister of the state should be a Muslim, while five MLAs from the community should be given important portfolios. “The Muslims helped the Congress win in around 72 seats and it is time of the community to get something in return,” he said.

• The Congress’s three observers at the CP meeting, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Deepak Babaria and Jitendra Singh Alwar, will be meeting every winner one-by-one starting 10 pm tonight and seek their opinion on who should be the next chief minister.

• Supporters of the two leaders sloganeered outside the five-star Bengaluru hotel where the meeting was held, with Shivakumar’s backers shouting “We want DK Shivakumar as CM”.

  Posters were put up outside the homes of the two contenders. Posters outside Siddaramaiah’s home in Bengaluru congratulated him and claimed “he will be taking oath as Karnataka Chief Minister for the second time”, while those outside Shivakumar’s residence extended birthday greetings to the “new chief minister of Karnataka”.