Bengaluru: Congress President D.K. Shivakumar left for New Delhi on Tuesday for a discussion with party leadership on chief ministerial candidate in Karnataka.
While interacting with the media before his departure, he said that the party is "God" to him. "Ours is a united house. Our number is 135 and I am a party President. Congress party is my temple. The party is like a mother. I have done my job," Shivakumar stated.
"The God and mother know what to offer to the children. I am going to meet my God in the temple. I am going alone. The General Secretary had asked me to come there alone," Shivakumar stated before departure.
According to Shivakumar's office, he boarded the 9.50 a.m. flight. He will attend the crucial meeting with Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge to decide on the Chief Minister's post for Karnataka.
Veteran leader Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are vying for the top post. Sources said that despite Siddaramaiah getting the majority, Shivakumar is not willing to budge. He is claiming that he had delivered the victory to the party and hence deserved the chief minister's post.
Siddaramaiah reached New Delhi on Monday noon with his supporters and was awaiting the arrival of Shivakumar.
Sources also claimed that the high command has also suggested the leaders share the power for two and half years each.
But Shivakumar is maintaining that the CMs deputed for the first term have not vacated their posts to give chance to others in states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
As per the sources, he is insisting for the first term, sources explained.
“If the party wants, they can give me the responsibility. 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”, Shivakumar said.
Meanwhile, senior top leaders are holding meetings to decide on the next step in case the issue is not resolved soon.
In the Karnataka assembly elections, the results of which came out on May 13, Congress won 135 seats against BJP’s 66 and JD(S) ‘s 19.