End of stalemate, Siddaramaiah set to become Karnataka CM, Shivakumar deputy

After days of speculations and negotiations, the Congress is set to announce the Karnataka chief minister by Thursday evening. Reportedly, Siddaramaiah will be appointed as chief minister and D.K. Shivakumar, the Deputy chief minister. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held in Bengaluru on Saturday (May 20).

Both top contenders for the top post held marathon discussions with the high command before decision was made by the party. Separate meeting were held with party leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday.

The state Congress president, Shivakumar had a lunch meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and also held discussions with his MLAs. Around 12 MLAs attended the meeting that was held at Shivkumar's brother D.K. Suresh's residence.

Reportedly, Shivakumar refused to settle for deputy chief minister post, however, he said he would not raise the flag of rebellion even if he denied the CM post.

"If the party wants, they can give me the responsibility... Ours is a united house. I don't want to divide anyone here. Whether they like me or not, I am a responsible man. I will not backstab, and I will not blackmail," Shivakumar said after his meetings with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi earlier in the day.

Even when celebrations erupted in Siddaramiah's residence in Bengaluru, the Congress clarified that that consultations were still on. "With the next 48 to 72 hpurs, we will have a new Cabinet in Karnataka, and in the first Cabinet meeting, we will implement the five Congress guarantees and begin the work of building a grand Karnataka,” said All India Congress Committee (AICC) Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala.