Siddaramaiah Likely To Be Next Karnataka CM; D K Shivakumar Offered Deputy's Post: Reports

Congress leader Siddaramaiah is likely to be the next Chief Minister of Karnataka while Karnataka party president D K Shivakumar will be the Deputy CM.

The formal announcement of the decision is likely to be made later today (17 May).

According to sources cited by India Today, Siddaramaiah is likely tow swear-in on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar is likely to be offered important portfolios in the upcoming state cabinet.

Shivakumar is likely to takeover as Chief Minister of the state after two years under the power-sharing formula devised by the Congress top-brass.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi reportedly held a telephonic conversation with Shivakumar, offering him the Deputy CM's chair in Karnataka.

She has assured Shivakumar of CM's chair, but only after two years under split-CM terms, reports Republic.

The Karnataka Assembly elections, held on 10 May, resulted in a resounding victory for Congress with the party winning 135 of the 224 seats, ousting the BJP from power.

The BJP won just 66 seats, while the JD(S), which hoped to be a kingmaker, was relegated to the third position with only 19 seats.