The Congress Legislature Party on Sunday unanimously resolved to authorise AICC President M Mallikarjun Kharge to appoint the new CLP leader -- Chief Minister -- in Karnataka.

Before the CLP gathering to discuss government formation in the city, the Congress central observers along with AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal held a meeting with Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D K Shivakumar, the strong claimants and front-runners for the Chief Minister's post.

Kharge had deputed former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria as observers for the election of the CLP leader.

The first meeting of the CLP wholeheartedly expressed its gratitude towards 6.5 crore Kannadigas for reposing their faith in the party and giving a decisive mandate to it in the Assembly elections held on May 10.

"This is indeed a victory of every Kannadiga, a victory of 'swabhimana' of Karnataka and a victory of progress and harmony to rebuild 'Brand Karnataka'," a resolution passed at the CLP said.

By the "historical verdict", Karnataka has once again shone a new light to democracy and protecting the Constitution that are under attack from the forces of hate and divisiveness, both from inside and outside the state, the resolution said.

The CLP expressed its heartfelt appreciation to Kharge for the extensive and tireless campaign undertaken by him all through the elections as also for his "sagacious advice" on electoral strategy.

It also thanked former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi for being a pillar of strength to the party and for her guidance and campaign in the elections.

The CLP also said it is deeply indebted to former president Rahul Gandhi for his relentless electioneering, which resonated with the masses, particularly the poor and the young and immensely helped translate the message of the five Congress 'guarantees' amongst the people.

"It is no coincidence that the Congress campaign, in its true earnestness began way back in September-October 2022 during the Bharat Jodo Yatra when Shri Rahul Gandhi walked nearly 600 kilometres for a period of 21 days through the length and breadth of Karnataka, which immensely energised the cadre to take on the malgovernance, corruption and maladministration of the ruling BJP government," it said.

The CLP also expressed its deepest appreciation and thanks to Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for her untiring campaign and roadshows that endeared her to the people of Karnataka and helped the message of the party's 'guarantees' percolate and spread amongst the people.

The CLP appreciated the insurmountable hard work, resilience and dedication of Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah as also the entire team for leading the campaign from the front.

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