CM FACE SUSPENSE MOVES TO DELHI

Karnataka CM swearing-in on Thursday or Saturday: Sources

Moni Sharma

New Delhi/Bengaluru: As the race for the new Karnataka CM intensifies, First India has learnt that Siddaramaiah presented a proposal that he could be the CM for 2 years while DK Shivakumar could helm the govt for remaining 3 years. Siddaramaiah said since he is ageing, he wants to get 1st half of Congress govt up and running at least till next year’s LS elections. However, DK Shivakumar is believed to have rejected proposal. CLP passed a unanimous resolution authorising Cong chief Mallikarjun Kharge to pick next CM of Karnataka. Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah is in Delhi to meet party leaders, DK cancelled the trip due to stomach infection. P5

Senior Congress leaders DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.

My aim was only to deliver Karnataka to Congress. Kharge has his own stakes in the state. Gandhis have confidence in us. We will leave the matter to them. Thumping victory of the party in K’taka is the best birthday gift possible given to him by the people, I don’t talk about numbers but 135 with me. —DK Shivakumar