Karnataka chief minister-designate Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar arrived in the national capital on Friday to discuss the modalities of the cabinet formation with the party's high command. The duo is also expected to formally invite the top brass for the swearing-in ceremony. The Congress on Thursday confirmed Siddaramaiah's name as the next chief minister of Karnataka and declared DK Shivakumar as his sole deputy in the government. During the official announcement in New Delhi, when pushed on a possible power-sharing formula, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said: “Power sharing means sharing power with the people of Karnataka… that is all.”
Even as there was no clarity on the power-sharing formula devised for the two leaders, intense lobbying started for the council of ministers as soon as they returned to Bengaluru.The reason for the intense lobbying was the announcement by Congress general secretary KC Venugopal that some ministers will also take oath on May 20. Leaders of several like-minded opposition parties are likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony on Saturday in Bengaluru. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has extended the invitation to several chief ministers and party leaders for what is seen as an opportunity to showcase the opposition's unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.