Yathindra Siddaramaiah misses Deputy CM post, to get cabinet berth in Shivakumar government

YAthindra Siddaramaiah, boy of Karnataka's outgoing chief government minister K Siddaramaiah, is go under to be inducted into DK Shivakumar's young storage locker today, but will not be getting the deputy chief minister's post amid intense speculation over the composition of the new government.As reported earlier by HT, Yathindra had dismissed speculation that he was being considered for the deputy chief minister's post and said he had been assured by Rahul Gandhi that he would find a place in the cabinet.“The last time I visited the high command, Rahul Gandhi told me that my interests would be taken care of, and he said I would be inducted into the cabinet, so I'm hopeful. Whatever portfolio I am given, I will be happy,” Yathindra had said.Also Read: ‘Mediocre in studies, naughty… but had qualities of leader’: Shivakumar's teacher recalls ahead of Karnataka CM oathAsked whether he was eyeing the deputy chief minister's post, he replied with a firm "No."His remarks came as Shivakumar and outgoing chief minister Siddaramaiah, who is also Yathindra's father, travelled to New Delhi to consult the Congress leadership on the composition of the new cabinet and the allocation of key portfolios.Quoting a leader familiar with the talks as saying, HT reported, “Siddaramaiah wants Yathindra in a politically significant department. The social welfare portfolio is among the options under discussion.”The deputy chief minister's post will go to senior Dalit leader G Parameshwara, who is also scheduled to take the oath of office following Shivakumar's swearing-in.Swearing-in at 4 pmShivakumar is all set to take oath as Karnataka's chief minister at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru at around 4 pm on Wednesday. Along with him, 13 ministers will be sworn in as part of the new cabinet, including Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra.His elevation to the state's top post comes after a series of discussions involving Siddaramaiah and the Congress high command, bringing to an end months of uncertainty over the party's power-sharing arrangement in Karnataka.Also Read: Siddaramaiah's son, Priyank Kharge, G Parameshwar to be part of DK Shivakumar's Karnataka cabinet | See full listUnder the agreement worked out within the Congress, Shivakumar was to assume the chief minister's post after Siddaramaiah completed half of his term, or 2.5 years in office.Shivakumar meets Siddaramaiah, BS Yediyurappa before swearing-inAhead of the swearing-in ceremony, Shivakumar met outgoing chief minister Siddaramaiah, veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, personally inviting them to attend the event at which he will be sworn in as chief minister.Speaking to reporters after meeting Yediyurappa, Shivakumar said, "They have guided the state, worked for the state and contributed immensely to its development. All of us have to work together."Shivakumar also visited JD(S) patriarch Deve Gowda to invite him to the swearing-in ceremony and seek his blessings ahead of assuming office.Rahul Gandhi to attend ceremonyLeader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday departed from Delhi's IGI Airport for Bengaluru to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Shivakumar.Also Read: Siddaramaiah in national fray, appointed to top Congress panel as he makes way for Shivakumar as Karnataka CMApart from Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party general secretary K C Venugopal, and Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Surjewala are also expected to attend the ceremony. Several Congress chief ministers from across the country are likely to be present as well, news agency ANI reported.Siddaramaiah resigned on May 28, saying he was acting in accordance with the directions of the Congress leadership, following days of speculation over a change in Karnataka's top leadership.