From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar has ultimately joined the Karnataka government as the only one deputy chief minister of the state, with former CM Siddharamaian being the new chief minister.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wanted two deputy CMs to include one from Dalits, but he conceded to Shivakumar’s demand.
Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal told a press conference here that he was authorised by Kharge to convey his decision.
He said Shivakumar will also continue as the Karnataka Congress president until the parliamentary elections are over.
Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, who addressed reporters at the AICC headquarters long with Venugopal, said journalists were angry on why the Congress did not take the decision fast. He said it is the media’s right. “We are part of your family. We love you and you love us. This is the Congress,” he said.
He said a formal meeting of the Congress MLAs will be held Thursday evening in Bengaluru to put their stamp on the party high command, which was authorised by them to choose the leader on Sunday. The swearing-in of the new government will be on May 20 at 12.30 PM. The time gap is kept to enable leaders of various opposition parties join the ceremony.
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