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Karnataka News Highlights: The Congress party will be forming the government in Karnataka after winning majority and the debate now shifts to who will be crowned the next chief minister between veteran Siddaramaiah and strategist DK Shivakumar. A decision is expected to be announced sometime today (May 17). While Siddaramaiah is a veteran with previous administrative experience, Shivakumar has been hailed as a strategist for being instrumental for the party's in-roads with the dominant Vokkaliga community this election.
Notably, this is the Congress' best electoral performance in the state since 1989. As per the results declared by the Election Commission in 223 out of the 224 seats, the Congress has won 135 seats, the BJP's tally has been reduced to 65 and the JD(S) 19. Meanwhile, the party's victory in the Karnataka assembly polls is likely to help get its candidates elected in three of the four Rajya Sabha seats from the state falling vacant next year.
For the BJP, this comprehensive defeat in Karnataka after a campaign of contrasts has left it with much to ponder as the two rivals prepare for a direct contest in three more state polls this year in the run-up to the all-important 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The southern state has sent a warning to the BJP, experts feel, noting that the party has lessons to learn from Karnataka.
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Congress leader Ajay Singh on announcement of new Karnataka CM, says 'it may get finalised by tonight'.
- "Our senior leaders & high command are coming to a conclusion. The decision will be announced by taking both leaders in confidence. They will be seen together in upcoming meetings"
AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal arrives at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi. Prior to this meeting, Siddaramaiah met Congress party's Karnataka incharge Randeep Surjewala and general secretary KC Venugopal at the latter's residence in Delhi.
There is no infighting, says Karnataka Congress leader G Parameshwara on the delay in presenting the name of the new Karnataka Chief Minister, adds the scene has been moved to Delhi.
Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar as he leaves the residence of his brother and party MP DK Suresh, comments about his meeting with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, saying, "Nothing, no discussion." Just pranaam..."
As a precautionary measure, security has been increased in Ramanagara, the home district of Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar, and Kanakapura, where Shivakumar was re-elected to the Karnataka Assembly in the May 10 elections.
Outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said despite possessing a landslide victory, the Congress' "inability" to choose the next chief minister speaks much about the internal situation of the party.
He said, "Despite having a complete majority, the party is unable to decide its leader. This shows the internal situation of the party. Aspirations of the people are more important than politicking. They (Congress) should settle the issue of a new chief minister and government formation as soon as possible."
Pushpa Amarnath, president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Women's Wing, claims Siddaramaiah has been chosen as the state's next chief minister.
Congress Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala that the incoming government in its first cabinet meeting would pass an order implementing the five pre-poll guarantees.
- 'Karnataka will have a 5-year stable Congress government'
- 'We implement the 'five guarantees' as promised in the first sitting of the state Cabinet'
- 'Delibrations are currently underway by party president Mallikarjun Kharge'
' Whenever Congress takes a decision either Wednesday or Thursday, the party will be the first one to inform the media'
' In the next 48-72 hours, we will have a new cabinet in Karnataka'
- 'Do not resort to any speculation, whenever a decision is taken by the Congress president, we will be happy to inform you. I am only here to quash multiple rumours and hearsay ...that are being played on multiple news channels. Please don't believe in it'
Preparations are underway at Kanteerava stadium for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Karnataka CM on Thursday. However, the party is yet to announce the name of the Chief Minister.Two contenders -- former CM Siddaramaiah and party state president D K Shivakumar -- met Rahul Gandhi at his residence in Delhi.
The top Congress leadership has concerns that any questioning of Shivakumar in cases related to money laundering, income tax evasion, and disproportionate assets against him can affect the administration's functioning. Read here
Supporters of Congress leader Siddaramaiah poured milk on his poster and chanted slogans for him outside his residence in Bengaluru, as the announcement of the Karnataka CM is awaited
