“I think the Chief Minister may give his resignation tomorrow (Thursday) after 3 PM,” Congress MLA Ashok M Pattan, a known loyalist of Siddaramaiah, told the media persons amid the buzz of the CM is planning to meet the Governor. There were also tell-tale indications of Siddaramaiah’s imminent exit as a key aide of Siddaramaiah vacated his office on Wednesday and took group pictures. Several of CM’s office staff were teary-eyed as Siddaramaiah exited his office after the day’s work as they pleaded with him not to resign. Siddaramaiah will have a breakfast meeting with Cabinet colleagues on Thursday morning following which he will address a press conference to make public his plans following his Tuesday’s discussions with party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi.
Power-formula: In Delhi, discussions were held on Thursday between Khagre, Gandhi and K C Venugopal. Congress sources indicated the new government could have one or more deputy CMs belonging to politically important social segments. The leadership is also keen to ensure proper accommodation for Siddaramaiah’s nominees in the new cabinet, perhaps including his son, even as moves are on to appoint a new PCC president as well. AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka R S Surjewala reached Bengaluru on Wednesday for further discussions but he remained tight-lipped before media on the internal discussions.
