DK Shivakumar appointed observer for Telangana as Congress leads, 'resort' politics unlikely now

Karnataka Congress chief and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, who landed in Hyderabad on December 2, will stay in Telangana as his party is inching closer to victory in the state election. According to the Election Commission, the Congress party is leading in 65 seats followed by the BRS which is ahead in 35 seats. The BJP, on the other hand, is ahead only in 10 constituencies as per the latest trends. Tap here for LIVE updates on all four states. 

Republic has learnt that Shivakumar will travel directly from Telangana to Karnataka's Belagavi on December 4 for the winter session in the state assembly. 

Notably, Shivakumar and Karnataka's energy minister KJ George have been appointed as observers by the Congress leadership for Telangana. 

Ahead of the counting of votes in four states - Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh - reports surfaced that the Congress leadership directed Shivakumar to secure the party's winning candidates from poaching by other parties. Sources said that resorts were booked in Bengaluru to lodge the candidates there.

Shivakumar, however, rejected the claims saying, “No MLAs will be going anywhere.”

"Nobody has given me a responsibility or called me. I have my own opinion on the poll analysis that is being shown by the media. I am confident that we will win all the states," he further said. 

The ‘resort’ politics, however, now seems unlikely since the BJP is leading comfortably in three states - Madhya Pradesh (157), Rajasthan (109) and Chhattisgarh (48) - and Congress is emerging victorious in Telangana. 

Moreover, the Deputy CM along with George are also scheduled to hold discussion with senior Congress leaders from Telangana over potential CM candidates.