Congress mulling over shared chief ministership in K'taka

The fierce contest for the post of chief minister may result in Karnataka Congress leaders Mallikarjuna Kharge and Siddaramaiah going for a 50/50 arrangement, reports Vicky Nanjappa

The Congress remains undecided on whom to make the next Karnataka chief minister, but an option that is being considered in Congress circles is a 50/50 arrangement. The preferred choice of both party president Sonia and Rahul Gandhi is party veteran Mallikarjuna Kharge.

There are a couple of factors that has made the two top leaders of the Congress favour Kharge.

Kharge has been in the Congress for four decades and is a loyalist. Moreover, he is a candidate no one would have a problem with except the Siddaramaiah faction due to his seniority in the party.

The Congress cannot ignore Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah, who has been making a huge pitch to become the chief minister. The only consideration before the high command would be the power that Siddaramaiah holds. The leader has over 30 candidates in the party and if ignored could revolt. Siddaramaiah like Kharge is desperate for the post since it is their last chance. Siddaramaiah has already made it clear that this would be his last election.

If both the leaders are not able to reach any consensus then the high command could suggest a 50:50 arrangement wherein both leaders rule the state for a period of two-and-a-half years each. The decision on who should take the first term would be left to the two leaders.

It is clear that the post of CM would boil down to Siddu and Kharge. However, there are many others like D K Shivakumar who are putting up an impossible demand to become chief minister. The reach of DK is very limited. Both Siddaramaiah and Kharge have a considerable grip over the southern and northern part of the state respectively.