Karnataka Cong Chief Backs Kharge for CM Post

Bengaluru: Amid stiff competition between him and senior leader Siddaramiah for the chief ministerial post in the event of Congress winning the Assembly polls, Karnataka Congress unit president D K Shivakumar’s attempts to bring AICC chief M Mallikarjun Kharge’s name into the race, has raised eyebrows within party circles.

The KPCC chief’s move to endorse Kharge, is being seen by some as an attempt by him to checkmate Siddaramaiah’s prospects, by reigniting the debate on ‘Dalit CM’ and ‘native versus migrant’ within the party.

Shivakumar’s statements that he would “love” to work under Kharge if he becomes the Chief Minister and that there are voices within the party that “injustice” has happened to the veteran leader in the past, has got tongues wagging among many in the state Congress. However, he has maintained that the party’s decision is final.