The perfect bonhomie between the two Karnataka heavyweights till May 13 has now turned into a bitter game of superiority as both vie for the post of prime minister.
More than two days have passed and the leaders of Congress are still discussing and deliberating a possible compromise formula that can satisfy both sides.
The party has admitted that the task ahead is not easy.
Party spokesman Pawan Khera said in Hyderabad that a decision on appointing the chief minister of Karnataka would be known in a day or two.
“Appointing a prime minister is not an easy thing. It cannot be imposed by Delhi…Everyone’s point of view has to be taken into account. We have to engage with all the stakeholders and then decide who will be the prime minister,” he said. said.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is working overtime with all stakeholders to find a way out of this crisis, which threatens to leave the party in a quandary despite its emphatic victory over the BJP.
Rahul Gandhi went to meet Kharge in the afternoon. This was followed by Kharge meeting Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah separately.
Shivakumar, who insisted on Sonia Gandhi’s faith in him and wept when the results were declared, made several emotional appeals to bolster his claim.
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DK Shivakumar meets Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in Delhi, Karnataka next to CM
DKS has said it will not resign or blackmail or backstab.
“If the party wants it can give me responsibility. Ours is a united house, our number is 135. I don’t want to divide anyone here. Like it or not, I am a responsible man. I will not backstab or blackmail,” he said .
To add to the drama, another senior leader threw his hat into the ring, and that too with a subtle threat of having the support of 50 MLAs.
Former Deputy Chief Minister of the state G Parmeshwara surprised everyone by saying that he is ready to take responsibility if the party high command asks him.
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Third contender for CM post in Karnataka: Congress leader G Parameshwara’s supporters protest
“I trust the party leaders. I can train a group of 50 MLAs. But I don’t. I have some principles. Discipline is important to me. I served as Deputy Prime Minister. The High Command knows all about me and my I work, so I don’t want to pressure. That doesn’t mean I’m incapable, I’m capable and if given an opportunity I will do the job,” Parmeshwara said.
However, at least for now, Parmeshwara doesn’t appear to be in contention.
One reason the Congress leadership is proceeding with the utmost caution is because the decision will have implications not only for the future of the state government but also for next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP already has a proven track record of reversing assembly electoral trends in Lok Sabha elections. In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP lost to the Congress in several states. However, the losses made little difference to the BJP’s prospects in the Lok Sabha elections and it defeated the grand old party convincingly.
If Congress bungles now, the BJP will capitalize in 2024 despite its huge loss now.
Reports suggest Kharge is likely to make the big announcement tomorrow. For now all the interested parties are tight-lipped about who wears the Congress crown in Karnataka.
(With contributions from agencies)
