Congress leaders huddle in Delhi to finalise probable list of ministers ahead of DK Shivakumar's swearing-in as CM

New Delhi: Senior Congress leaders held preliminary meetings on Monday to prepare list of candidates for induction into the Karnataka Council of Ministers, ahead of DK Shivakumar’s swearing-in as Chief Minister on June 3.

Caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with former minister KJ George, met Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal to discuss and prepare a probable list of ministers.

Separately, Shivakumar held discussions with Congress General Secretary (in-charge Karnataka) Randeep Surjewala.

Party sources indicated that leaders are expected to finalise the list tonight and submit it to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

Kharge is likely to chair a key meeting on Tuesday morning with Venugopal, Surjewala, Siddaramaiah, and Shivakumar to finalise the composition of the ministry.

It is not yet confirmed whether Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will attend the meeting Tuesday's meeting.

As per the current plan, around 10 to 12 ministers will be inducted in the first phase.

The list is expected to include a mix of senior leaders and young faces.

A meeting originally scheduled for Monday evening with Kharge was postponed as Venugopal and Rahul Gandhi arrived in the national capital late at night.

Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar reached Delhi on Monday afternoon aboard a special flight.

While Siddaramaiah stayed at a luxury hotel, Shivakumar is staying at the Karnataka Bhavan.

A large number of ministerial aspirants, including former ministers, MLAs, and MLCs, have camped in Delhi to lobby with central leaders for a place in the new cabinet.