Siddaramaiah to be the New CM of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar to be the Deputy CM, Oath Ceremony on May 20

BENGALURU: After four days of discussions, Karnataka has got its new Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah will be the new Chief Minister of Karnataka and DK Shivakumar will be the Deputy Chief Minister. The party made the announcement after several hours of discussions between Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi and former chief ministers Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. 

Siddaramaiah has won from Varuna assembly constituency, while Shivakumar has won from Kanakpura seat. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, K.C. Venugopal said, "The Congress President has decided after extensive deliberations that Siddaramaiah will be the Chief Minister of Karnataka and D.K. Shivakumar will be the Deputy Chief Minister.”

He said that the oath-taking ceremony will be held on May 20. Venugopal said that along with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, a group of ministers will also take oath. Crediting the party's resounding victory in the assembly elections to the two leaders of the southern state, he said, "Both leaders are a great asset of the Congress in Karnataka." 

Addressing a press conference today, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said that victory in Karnataka does not belong to the party but to the people. He said that the party president has decided who will become the chief minister.

Shivakumar said on Thursday morning, "I agree with the party's formula. Lok Sabha elections are ahead and I am ready for the responsibilities. Keeping the interest of the party in mind, I have agreed." 

Notably, The Congress has called a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party in Bangalore today at 7 pm. Central observers of the party will also attend it. The swearing-in ceremony of the new government will be held on May 20 in Bangalore. Earlier, two meetings between Rahul and Kharge with Siddaramaiah and DK were inconclusive.