Won't Backstab, Won't Blackmail: DK Shivakumar As Deadline Nears On Karnataka CM Announcement

Amid the powerplay over the post of the Karnataka Chief Minister, state party chief DK Shivakumar has said he won't backstab or blackmail.

While leaving for Delhi as the Congress decision on the post of the Karnataka Chief Minister is pending, state party chief DK Shivakumar said he won't backstab or blackmail, adding that he doesn't want to divide anyone. He said, "Ours is a united house, our number is 135. 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." The 61-year-old leader was expected to reach Delhi on Monday evening, but couldn't due to a stomach infection. He and Siddaramaiah, both frontrunners for the chief minister's post, were called by the Congress' central leadership to Delhi for discussions. 

Siddaramaiah is in Delhi since Monday. The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President will leave for Delhi from Kempegowda International Airport here by a 9:50 am flight, his office said in a statement.

The three central observers of the Congress, who interacted with newly elected party MLAs on their choice for chief minister, briefed party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and submitted their report on Monday.

The Congress Legislature Party, which met at a hotel in Bengaluru on Sunday, had passed a unanimous resolution authorising Kharge to pick who will be the next chief minister of Karnataka.

Shivakumar is locked in an intense power struggle with Siddaramaiah over who will lead the government, after the Congress stormed to power by winning 135 seats in the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly.

Amid speculation about the number of MLAs supporting him and Siddaramaiah for the post, Shivakumar on Monday said his strength is 135, as it was under his leadership, the party won 135 seats.

In just-concluded Assembly elections, the Congress scored an emphatic victory with 135 seats, while the ruling BJP and the former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19 seats, respectively.

After the Congress party's stupendous victory in the May 10 assembly polls, the party faces the uphill task of satisfying the two camps and is working on a 'formula'.