NEW DELHI: Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar on Saturday met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and staked claim to form the government after being unanimously elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), according to official sources.
Shivakumar's meeting at Raj Bhavan came shortly after the CLP elected him as its new leader at a meeting held at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, formally paving the way for him to become Karnataka's next chief minister. Outgoing chief minister Siddaramaiah proposed Shivakumar's name for the post, while senior leader G. Parameshwara seconded the proposal, which was unanimously endorsed by party legislators.
The meeting was overseen by Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala. After the proceedings, Venugopal told reporters that Shivakumar would head to Raj Bhavan to stake his claim and would be sworn in as chief minister on June 3.
The Congress Legislature Party also passed a resolution appreciating Siddaramaiah's tenure as chief minister, with Shivakumar moving the motion. Siddaramaiah resigned on May 28, and Governor Gehlot subsequently accepted his resignation and dissolved the Council of Ministers, while asking him to continue until alternative arrangements were made.
Shivakumar, who served as deputy chief minister in the outgoing government, is set to take the oath of office on June 3 at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru.
The development marks a significant transition in Karnataka's political landscape, with Shivakumar taking over the reins from Siddaramaiah. The CLP's unanimous decision reflects party unity as the Congress prepares to lead the state under new leadership. The oath-taking ceremony is expected to be attended by top Congress leaders and dignitaries.
