"Swamiji has always guided me": Shivakumar visits Sri Kadasiddeshwara Mutt in Tumkur after Congress wins in K'taka polls

Tumkur( Karnataka) [India], May 14 ( ): Ahead of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, its Karnataka party chief DK Shivakumar on Sunday visited the Sri Kadasiddeshwara Mutt at Nonavinakere in Tumkur.

He sought the blessings of Karibasavavrishabha Desikendra Seer. He later along with his family participated in a special pooja at the shrine of Shri Karibasava.

"This Mutt is a holy place for me. Swamiji has always guided me. Swamiji gave me complete guidance even when the Income Tax raids took place. I asked for 134 seats and I got more than that," said Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar.

"Some people say that I have differences with Siddaramaiah but I want to clear that there is no difference between us. Many times I have sacrificed for the party and stood with Siddaramaiah ji. I have given cooperation to Siddaramaiah," added Shivakumar.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders Bhai Jagtap, Sanjay Nirupam and other party workers recited 'Hanuman Chalisa' at a temple in Mumbai following the party's victory in Karnataka polls.

After Congress registered a thumping victory in the Karnataka assembly election, the next question that arises is who would be the next chief minister.

The contest between its two top leaders, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, for the chief ministerial post has intensified with their supporters on Sunday putting up posters in support of their respective leaders.

Supporters of Siddaramaiah, who is a former chief minister of Karnataka, put up a poster outside Siddaramaiah's residence in Bengaluru, referring to him as "the next CM of Karnataka.

"Posters were also put up on Sunday outside the house of D K Shivakumar's house in Bangalore wishing him an advanced birthday which is on May 15 with writing in them "Birthday greetings to the new Chief Minister of Karnataka".

Siddaramaiah informed on Saturday that Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting would be held on Sunday where the Congress Legislative Party is expected to pass a resolution leaving it to the party high command to decide the chief minister for Karnataka.

DK Shivakumar defeated JDS candidate B Nagaraju in the Kanakapura constituency by 1,22,392 votes while Siddaramaiah won the Varuna assembly seat defeating Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) V Somanna.

According to the Election Commission of India, Congress won 135 seats pushing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in the only southern state it ruled, and boosting its own prospects for the electoral battles ahead.

BJP managed to win 66 seats. Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) bagged 19 seats. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha won one seat each.