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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 by today evening on May 16. 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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Karnataka News LIVE Updates: Congress general secretary KC Venugopal arrives at party president Mallikarjun Kharge's residencein Delhi
Congress leader and former deputy chief minister of Karnataka, Dr G Parameshwara, speaking on the formation of the state government said, "If the Congress high command gives me the responsibility of the CM post, I will definitely fulfil it. They know everything about me and my work. I don't want to lobby."
According to sources quoted by ANI, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has met with all stakeholders on deciding the Karnataka CM candidate, and that the announcement may be made tomorow in Bengaluru.
"No final decision yet on the CM post in Karnataka. Congress President has met all the stakeholders. Now the final decision will be taken by him in consultation with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. The announcement can be delayed until tomorrow and announcement can be made in Bengaluru itself," ANI tweeted quoting sources.
Congress leader KH Muniyappa speaking on who Karnataka's new chief minister would be said both DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah are important and neither can be overlooked.
“Both the leaders (DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah) are important and none of them can be left behind. It is for the AICC to decide what kind of arrangement they make for them,” said KH Muniyappa.
Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar as he leaves the residence of his brother and MP DK Suresh, says, "If any channel is reporting that I am resigning from the post, I will file a defamation case against them...Some of them are reporting that I will resign...My mother is my party, I built this party. My high command, my MLA, my party are there - 135."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leaves from the residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi. They
held a closed-door meeting for almost an hour and a half to discuss government formation in Karnataka, amid the race for the Karnataka chief minister's post.
“In many states, we have more than one competent leader, and such is also the case in Rajasthan. But, only one leader becomes the CM,” says Congress leader
Pawan Khera in a press conference in Hyderabad.
Supporters of Congress leader G Parameshwara staged a protest in Karnataka demanding CM post for him ahead of the announcement of the Karnataka CM's name
