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By Nagarjun Dwarakanath, Sagay Raj: As the deliberations and meetings to decide on a name for the next Karnataka chief minister continue, state Congress chief DK Shivakumar has agreed to a power-sharing pact with senior leader Siddaramaiah but wants the top post for the first half of the five-year tenure, sources told India Today.
Karnataka awaits the decision on its next chief minister with bated breath, which Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to announce in a few days. The two main contenders are Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief DK Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah.
To arrive at a decision, Kharge on Tuesday held a number of meetings with party leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Congress central observers, newly-elected MLAs and the two main contenders Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.
ALSO READ | Siddaramaiah is next Karnataka CM, DKS to be his deputy: Sources
DK Shivakumar again met Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence on Wednesday. Sources said that DK is not ready to budge and will not accept the deputy CM post.
According to sources, the party has decided to offer a power-sharing pact to both leaders, with one being at the top post for the first 2.5 years and the other taking the place for the next.
In such a scenario, Shivakumar has agreed to this setup but has demanded the top post for the first half tenure, sources said.
“The party high command feels that neither Siddaramaiah nor DKS can take oath alone. It’s a collective leadership and the top leadership does not want a one-man show. Negotiations are going on because Shivakumar is not ready to budge,” a source told India Today.
As the suspense over the CM’s name continues, an inside source has claimed that Congress is in no hurry to announce the CM. No announcements will be made for the next 48 hours as the consultation process is still underway.
ALSO READ | Congress likely to wait on Karnataka CM decision but Siddaramaiah holds edge: Sources
In the meantime, the frontrunners for the top post will stay put in the national capital. “Both leaders have been asked to refrain from making any statements and overtures that may cause embarrassment to the party,” the source told India Today.
All options are on the table, drawing consensus is the main objective. Both leaders have refused to relent, so options and formulas are being worked out, sources said.
The Congress won a decisive mandate in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly election, winning 135 of the 224 seats, ousting the BJP from power. The BJP was a distant second with 66 seats and the JD(S), which had hoped to play the kingmaker, was down with just 19 seats.
Since the election results have been declared, the Congress has been facing the challenging task of appointing the next chief minister of the state.
ALSO READ | Mass leader, clean image: Siddaramaiah’s strong claim to Karnataka CM post
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