Bengaluru: As the Congress party is set to come into power in Karnataka, speculation is growing regarding the next Chief Minister. While there is strong competition between D. K. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah for the CM position, Dr. G. Parameshwar has also raised the possibility of a Dalit CM.
According to Congress sources, Shivakumar, a prominent Vokkaliga leader, is likely to become the CM, while Lingayat Leader Jagadish Shettar could become the Deputy CM (DyCM).
Jagadish Shettar, who recently joined the Congress after leaving the BJP, contested the election from Huballi Dharawad Central Constituency but faced defeat. Some attribute his loss to allegations he made against the BJP during the campaign and the alleged neglect of transgender leaders.
When Jagadish Shettar joined the Congress, party leaders promised him an important government position. His entry into Congress is seen as a major factor in the party’s unprecedented victory in North Karnataka. As a result, the Congress High Command is reportedly considering appointing Jagadish Shettar as the DyCM, along with a significant portfolio in the government.
Siddaramaiah, who has previously served as CM, is facing pressure to give way to D. K. Shivakumar, as it is customary for the Former President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) to become the CM. However, Siddaramaiah’s reputation as a five-year CM has also influenced the decision-making process. Discussions and calculations are ongoing within the Congress party to determine the next CM.
Congress leaders have engaged in discussions with Jagadish Shettar after the election defeat, aiming to secure the party’s influence in North Karnataka by offering him a key portfolio. The ongoing meeting of the Congress Legislature Party will ultimately decide the next CM. The Congress party received support from the Lingayat community in this election, suggesting that they may receive more prominence in the Congress government. There is also a demand to appoint a Muslim community member as the DyCM. If Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga, becomes CM, it is likely that Jagadish Shettar, a Lingayat, Dr. G. Parameshwar, a Dalit, and U. T. Khader, a Muslim, will be appointed as DyCM, leading to considerations of prioritising North Karnataka, Coastal Karnataka, and Central Karnataka.