New Delhi:
Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar — who to this point has been agency on his demand for the Chief Minister submit — is known to have instructed celebration president Mallikarjun Kharge this night that he’s able to work as an “odd MLA” if he doesn’t get the Chief Minister’s submit. Sources mentioned whereas Mr Shivakumar introduced his case for the highest submit, he had additionally identified that Mr Kharge himself, regardless of his stature and place, by no means grew to become a Chief Minister.
“I do not thoughts when you turn into the Chief Minister,” sources quoted him as telling Mr Kharge throughout their one-on-one this night.
Mr Shivakumar additionally mentioned he has not been instructed that his arch-rival and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be the subsequent Chief Minister. Solely his opinion was requested on the problem.
“If I don’t get the Chief Minister’s submit, I’m able to work as an odd MLA. Ever since Siddaramaiah joined the celebration, he has at all times been in energy, both as an LOP or because the Chief Minister,” sources quoted him as telling Mr Kharge.
The Congress chief met the 2 contenders at this time earlier than taking a name on the knotty query of who would turn into the Chief Minister of Karnataka, a state the celebration received on Saturday with an enormous mandate. However the query of the highest submit has been giving the celebration a headache, in view of its implications for the overall election subsequent yr.
The celebration had despatched observers to satisfy the brand new MLAs individually and take their suggestions. There are studies that Mr Siddaramaiah is the selection of a majority of the MLAs.
The staff has submitted its report and had a number of rounds of conferences with the celebration’s high leaders.
Earlier at this time, Mr Kharge and senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal had a gathering to debate the scenario.
Mr Shivakumar has made It clear that his declare to the highest submit relies on his work in build up the celebration after its coalition authorities with HD Kumaraswamy’s Janata Dal Secular had collapsed following a mass celebration change by MLAs. However he additionally mentioned he wouldn’t resort to “blackmail”.
“Sonia Gandhi instructed me, ‘I’ve confidence in you that you’ll ship Karnataka’. I’m sitting right here, doing my common duty. It is best to have the essential courtesy, a little bit of gratitude. They need to have the courtesy to acknowledge who’s behind the win,” he had instructed NDTV in an unique interview yesterday.
Throughout conferences with reporters, he additionally claimed that he has the “numbers” – the variety of MLAs who would help him on the Legislature Social gathering assembly.
“Yesterday 135 MLAs have given their opinion and handed a one-line decision, few have expressed their private opinion. My energy is the 135 MLAs. Beneath my management, the Congress has received 135 seats,” he had mentioned.