DK Shivakumar fires first salvo for Karnataka CM's post

Tumkuru: In his first salvo, Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar on Sunday said he expects senior party colleague Siddaramaiah to back him, when journalists asked him about his chief ministerial chances.

Giving reason for this, Shivakumar said he took up the challenge of delivering Karnataka in assembly polls when other top leaders didn't come forward to take it up.

"Before I took up the party's responsibility, Dinesh Gundurao saheb and Siddararamaiah saheb - both of them resigned saying that it is out of their hands. Thereafter, Sonia Gandhi summoned me and gave me the responsibility.

"AICC President Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and others visited me in jail and gave me strength. I have not done anything for myself. I have done it for the party. Day and night I have worked hard and taken everybody with me. Everybody cooperated. Because of this and hard work, it (power) has come to us," he told reporters at a temple.

"Earlier (in 2018) I was not made the minister, but I behaved well. I worked for Siddaramaiah then. I expect the same from Siddaramaiah," he said.

However, Shivakumar clarified that there are no differences between him and Siddaramaiah. "Some people say that I have differences with Siddaramaiah, but I want to clarify that there is no difference between us," he said.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah is cobbling up support from legislators to lay claim for chief minister's post. He is holding a meeting with several legislators who are said to be his supporters in Congress leader Byrathi Suresh's office.

Prior to this, former ministers Priyank Kharge, MB Patil, Zameer Ahmad Khan and others met Siddaramaiah.

"CM's will be announced within 2-3 days ".

Responding to a query, Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain said the chief minister's name will be announced within 2-3 days. "We are also preparing for the cabinet to be formed as soon as possible," he said. (UNI)