The Congress central leadership appears to have worked out a deal for Karnataka after deliberations through the day, with both P.C. Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar meeting party president Mallikarjun Kharge and giving their consent to the formula.
Although the announcement has been deferred till the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meets again on Wednesday to formally elect its leader, sources indicated that the consultation process was over and the issues had been resolved amicably. There were tangible hints about Siddaramaiah leading the government with Shivakumar as his deputy but nobody was willing to confirm the decision.
A top functionary involved in the negotiations said on Tuesday evening: “Nobody raises questions when (Narendra) Modi takes nine days to select his chief minister (in Uttarakhand) and we are not given even three days. Khargeji received the report of the observers only last night. Today, he completed the consultations. We hope the decision will come tomorrow. Where is the delay in it and what’s the point cooking up false stories of rift?”
Kharge held discussions with Rahul Gandhi, K.C. Venugopal, Randeep Surjewala, and the three observers, apart from Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. While Shivakumar arrived in Delhi on Tuesday afternoon, Siddaramaiah did so on Monday.
Party sources said the reports of muscle-flexing and blackmail were cock-and-bull stories and that while personal ambition was a natural thing, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were mature politicians, respectful of each other.
The high command is keen on accommodating both, and Shivakumar will be retained as state unit chief in addition to being given a key ministerial portfolio if he is not made chief minister.
Sources said the majority of the MLAs supported Siddaramaiah, and that would decide the choice of chief minister. The central leaders have avoided showing preferences, as both candidates had worked very hard and possessed the political and personal attributes necessary to lead the government.
As unconfirmed reports circulated in the media, some postulating the threat of resignation and blackmail, Shivakumar reacted angrily, declaring he would drag such news channels to court.
He chose not to express his frustration publicly and steadfastly maintained that the party was like a mother to him and there was no question of rebellion if he was not made chief minister. He firmly said “nothing will happen”, when asked if Rajasthan would be repeated in Karnataka.
Siddaramaiah maintained a dignified silence, refusing to speak to the media about the negotiations.
