Karnataka

The Congress had triumphed in Karnataka by winning 135 out of 224 seats in the southern state while the ruling BJP was reduced to 66 seats. According to party sources, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge sent invitations to 19 parties to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the party's government in Bengaluru on May 20.

Talking to reporters after visiting Hindu activists admitted to a hospital following alleged police torture, Yatnal stated, "Hindu activists were massacred during the earlier Congress regime. Now, the government is being formed with the same leadership creating fear among Hindu activists."

Refuting the charge, AICC general secretary K.C.Venugopal said that the leaders of political parties have been invited. Both the national secretaries of CPI(M) and CPI are among the invitees.

The AICC has announced only one Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) post for Karnataka which will be taken up by the party's state president, D.K. Shivakumar. Some of the senior leaders who have made the demand are G. Parameshwara, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, Satish Jarkiholi, M.B. Patil and Ramalinga Reddy.

The police had detained nine Hindu activists and allegedly given third degree treatment. Most of them were admitted to the hospital. The issue has stirred a controversy as both Congress and BJP are trading charges against each other.

The delay in announcing the name was due to the tussle between the two but it is learnt that it was UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who ultimately convinced Kanakapura MLA to accept the role of the Deputy Chief Minister.

"I am in receipt of your letter dated 18th May, 2023 staking claim to form the government. I invite you to take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka and D.K. Shivakumar to take oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka along with team members. The oath ceremony will take place at 12.30 p.m. on May 20, 2023 in Kanteerava Stadium.

After the election, Siddaramaiah and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, who will be Deputy Chief Minister, went in the same car to meet the Governor at the Raj Bhavan. Shivakumar moved the proposal to elect Siddaramaiah as the legislative party leader after the commencement of the meeting and it was supported by all the 135 MLAs.

Taking to social media, Shivakumar, who was vying for the post of Chief Minister, announced, "Karnataka's secure future and our peoples welfare is our top priority, and we are united in guaranteeing that." Shivakumar also shared a picture with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and designated CM Siddaramaiah.

Popular as a warlord for the Congress, Shivakumar was born on May 15, 1962 in Dodda Alahalli of Kanakapura taluk as the first son of Kempe Gowda and Gowramma couple. His father was a landlord and a local leader.He joined NSUI at the age of 18 years and became the president of Bengaluru district Congress from 1981 to 1983.