“No differences with Siddaramaiah…” DK Shivakumar dispels rumours over Karnataka CM race

A day after Congress swept Karnataka by winning 135 seats, uncertainty looms over the next Chief Minister of Karnataka. While Congress Karnataka state president DK Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah remain favourites for the top job, rumours were rife about the internal tussle. Denouncing reports of rift within Karnataka Congress, DK Shivakumar said that he has no differences with Siddaramaiah. Earlier today, supporters of Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar waged a ‘poster war’, demanding their leader to be named the next Karnataka CM. Adding a twist to the CM race, Ramalinga Reddy, Karnataka Congress working president said, “In every party, ambitions will be there. Not only DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah even MB Patil and G Parameshwara are also interested.” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday appointed three observers in Karnataka including former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde for the election of the Congress Legislative party (CLP) leader in the state. According to sources, the leaders will pass a resolution authorising the party's high command to decide on the CM face and the Deputy CM face.