Congress leader D K Shivakumar leaves for Delhi on Tuesday

Bengaluru: Amid intense lobbying for the Chief Minister's post, Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar left for Delhi on Tuesday to discuss with the party's central leadership the issue of government formation in the state. He and Siddaramaiah, both frontrunners for the Chief Minister's post, were called by the Congress national leadership to Delhi for discussions.

On Monday evening, Shivakumar had initially cancelled his visit to the national capital citing health issues. Before leaving for Delhi on Tuesday, the Karnataka party unit chief said "the Congress General Secretary has asked him to come alone, and he was going to Delhi alone."

Siddaramaiah reached Delhi on Monday. Shivakumar said: "I'm going to Delhi. The Congress General Secretary has instructed me to come alone. I'm going to Delhi alone. My health is in good condition. Congress party is my temple, Congress party is our big strength, so no need for anyone to be worried." Speaking to reporters, he said: "People have blessed us (Congress).

We have to put efforts unitedly to save and grow the public trust on us may the people of Kannada naadu (region), mother Bhuvaneshwari and mother Chamundeshwari (goddesses) continue to bless us to protect the Constitution and make Karnataka 'Sarva Janangada Shantiya Thota' (Garden where all communities live in harmony)." To a question on whether he would ask the high command to make him the Chief Minister, Shivakumar replied: "I have done my duty. Congress party is our mother, temple, everything. My General Secretary said -- DK -- (D K Shivakumar) you come alone. I'm going alone."