As counting is underway in Karnataka, the Indian National Congress’s (INC) intial lead has now shifted the debate to potential leaders at the state helm. Congress leader, D K Shivakumar has voiced aspirations to take on the post of Chief Minister, according to a report by NDTV.
Two key chief ministerial candidates in the state are former chief minister Siddaramaiah and the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee— DK Shivakumar.
According to an NDTV report, Shivakumar has stated that he hopes to be considered for the role given his work in building the base of the party and resurructing Congress’s prospects in the state.
Shivakumar has reposed faith in the congress top leadership of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge and will abide by their decision, the report added.
113 seats define the halfway mark in the state and initial counting reveals the INC hovering close to the mark. Final counting results will be out midday and decide if Congress will emerge as the single largest party.
Amid counting, the Election Commission’s page currently shows the INC leading with 114 seats, the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) with 73 seats and H. D. Kumaraswamy’s Janata Dal (Secular) with 30 seats.
Karnataka saw a record voter turnout of 73.19% on May 10th this year.
