Karnataka CLP passes resolution authorising Congress chief Kharge to name new Chief Minister

Aditi Tandon

New Delhi, May 14

Karnataka CLP on Sunday passed a resolution unanimously authorising Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to name new state CM.

In another resolution the Congress Legislature Party thanked 6.5 crore Kannadigas for reposing faith in the Congress.

Earlier in the day, Kharge named former Maharashtra CM Sushil Kumar Shinde, general secretary Jitendra Singh, and former general secretary Deepak Babaria central observers for the meeting of the Karnataka legislature party.

Although former CM and OBC stalwart Siddaramaiah leads the race, supporters of Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar are expected to mount pressure on the party to select the Vokkaliga leader instead.

Sources, however, indicate there’s larger agreement on Siddaramaiah who had in 2013 helmed the party when it won a full majority after 14 years. Siddaramaiah who crossed over to the Congress after differences over CM ship with the JD(S) is considered a strong Kuruba leader with mass appeal.

He led the party’s OBC, SC and Muslim consolidation besides adding Lingayat and Vokkaliga votes along with Shivakumar to deliver a much needed Karnataka win to the Congress.

Siddaramaiah, 75, had sought votes this time saying this is his last election.

He is also the only former CM in the state besides Congress’ Devraj Urs to have completed his five year term.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar, 60, has age on his side.