The Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge, has taken a significant step towards the election of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in Karnataka by appointing observers for the process. The former Maharashtra Chief Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, party general secretary Jitendra Singh, and senior leader Deepak Babaria have been entrusted with the responsibility, as announced by General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal on May 14.
Following the decisive defeat of the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, where the Congress secured an impressive mandate of 135 seats in the 224-member Legislative Assembly, the newly-elected Congress MLAs are gathering on Sunday evening to discuss government formation and deliberate on the choice of the chief ministerial candidate.
The outcome of this meeting holds immense significance as the Congress party faces the challenge of selecting a Chief Minister, with both the Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, and the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, D.K. Shivakumar, publicly expressing their aspirations for the post in the lead-up to the election.
Sources within the party have confirmed that the CLP meeting has been convened to chart the course for government formation. Among the key items on the agenda is soliciting the views of the newly-elected MLAs on the potential Chief Ministerial candidate, a decision that the party must carefully navigate.
Siddaramaiah, an eight-time MLA and the Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly, along with D.K. Shivakumar, who served as the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, are considered strong contenders and frontrunners for the coveted position. Their ambition to become Chief Minister is no secret, and their past political rivalry has added intrigue to the situation.
Party insiders indicate that the opinions of the newly elected legislators will be crucial in the decision-making process. Depending on the outcome of the discussions, the MLAs may be asked to vote to elect their leader if the need arises.
As the Congress sets its sights on forming the government in Karnataka, the appointment of observers and the engagement of the MLAs in determining the Chief Ministerial candidate underscores the party’s commitment to democratic decision-making and inclusivity. The next course of action will be keenly watched as the Congress seeks to consolidate its position and steer the state in a new direction.