You voted for me to make me CM, but what to do? A decision was made: DKS

KANAKAPURA (RAMANAGARA): Breaking his silence on why and how he lost the chief minister’s post to Siddaramaiah, Karnataka’s deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday said he gave up his claim following “advice” from the Gandhi family and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
“You voted for me in large numbers to make me the chief minister, but what to do? A decision was made. Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge gave me some advice. I had to bow my head to their words. Now, I must remain patient and wait,” Shivakumar said, addressing a gathering on his first visit to his home constituency after being appointed deputy CM.
Assuring his supporters that their wish to see him take over the reins of the government at some point won’t go unfulfilled, DKS said: “Like me, you all should also wait patiently.”
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were in a stiff competition for the CM post after Congress won 135 out of the 224 seats. Several rounds of hectic parleys between the two state leaders and the party brass in New Delhi preceded government formation last month.
Shivakumar’s contention was that he should be given the post since he had worked hard to revive the party in the state and ensured a thumping win. He also claimed that the Vokkaligas, who have traditionally voted for JD(S), had switched their allegiance and backed him and Congress in the polls, ensuring the highest tally for party in the old Mysuru region.