Congress leadership seems to have come up with a solution to the impasse around Karnataka Chief Ministerial aspirations of two of the party's top contenders – former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President DK Shivakumar.
According to a Congress source, currently the party leadership has decided to make Siddaramaiah the Chief Minister of Karnataka and DK Shivakumar his Deputy Chief Minister. Apart from the Deputy role, Shivakumar will continue to be the KPCC president and lead the party towards Lok Sabha election campaign of 2024.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting is scheduled to be held at 7 pm on 18 May. The swearing in of the new Chief Minister and the Cabinet is to be held at Bengaluru's Kanteerava Stadium either on 20 May.
Speaking to The Quint, a Congress source in the know said, "This is a Congress government which is being formed and not a coalition government. DK Shivakumar is happy to take on the role of Deputy CM and help the government. He will also continue to be KPCC president and that will be helpful to the party in the long run."
Siddaramaiah got the Chief Minister role because he has the support of most number of MLAs and is a mass leader who is popular among Karnataka voters. "His administrative experience is expected to be the biggest advantage as the Congress will run a smooth government in Karnataka in the coming years," the source quoted above said.
The Congress leadership is expected to announce the newly assigned roles on 18 May.
Meanwhile, when asked why a formal announcement has not yet come, a senior Congress leader said, "The High Command has decided that Siddaramaiah will be Chief Minister and DK Shivakumar will be Deputy Chief Minister. There won't be any change in that. Congress is a democratic party and each leader is being consulted before making the formal decision, that is all."
Congress Prepares for New Cabinet
As the talks are ongoing in the Congress camp, the party leadership in Karnataka seems have arrived at a list of contenders for Siddaramaiah's cabinet.
Apart from DK Shivakumar, who is now slated to be the Deputy Chief Minister, those in the running include G Parameshwara, MB Patil, UT Khader, and KJ George among others.
Here's the full list of Cabinet contenders and their expected portfolios, The Quint has gathered.
G Parameshwara, who in the recent past had staked his claim on the CM post, may be given the key Revenue department.
Mallanagouda Basanagouda Patil, a strong Lingayat leader of the Congress, is likely to be given Water Resources department.
KJ George, a leader of Kerala origin, is expected to be given Bengaluru Urban Development portfolio.
KN Rajanna, a Nayaka (Adivasi) leader, is expected to be given Social Welfare department.
Satish Jarkiholi, sugar baron, is expected to be given the Industries porfolio.
Ramalinga Reddy, who won from BMT Layout seat, may get Public Works Department portfolio.
UT Khader, a Muslim leader who retained the Mangaluru constituency in BJP hotbed Coastal Karnataka, is expected to be given Health and Family Welfare department.
While the decision is tentative, the big names are expected to be retained in the Cabinet.
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