Karnataka government formation LIVE: Congress to convene crucial CLP meeting at 4 p.m. on May 28

A day after resigning as the chief minister of Karnataka, Congress leader Siddaramaiah met Rahul Gandhi at Sonia Gandhi’s 10, Janpath residence on Friday morning.

He was accompanied by his son Yathindra.

The meeting is seen as important because Mr Siddaramaiah will discuss his future course with the Congress leadership after already rejecting the Rajya Sabha seat.

Mr. Siddaramaiah also said that he wanted to stay in Karnataka and was not keen on the central role offered to him by the party top leadership.

Sources said Mr. Siddaramaiah met only Rahul Gandhi as Sonia Gandhi was not present during the meeting.

Sources said Mr. Siddaramaiah thanked Rahul Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to serve the state and informed that he was resigning from the post of chief minister as requested.

They said Mr. Siddaramaiah may also seek a place in the new Karnataka Cabinet, including the post of deputy Chief Minister, for his son and his loyalists.

According to sources, Mr. Siddaramaiah later met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and discussed the formation of the new government in Karnataka and his future role in the party.

Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala, who was present during Mr Siddaramaiah’s hour-long meeting with Rahul Gandhi, said, “It was a very pleasant meeting. They discussed many issues.” Asked if the transition will be smooth in Karnataka, he said: “Absolutely. There are no hurdles in the state’s tradition of smooth power.” Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Thursday formally accepted Mr. Siddaramaiah’s resignation from the post of Chief Minister.