Team Blitz India

NEW DELHI: As the race for the next Karnataka chief minister hots up, all eyes are on the Congress' top leadership here on their pick for the key post in the southern state.

After the Congress party emerged victorious in the May 10 assembly polls, intense lobbying for the chief minister's post in Karnataka started between former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D K Shivakumar.

The three central observers deputed by the Congress returned to the national capital after speaking individually to the newly elected MLAs and handed over their report to party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who is likely to take a decision.

He is also likely to hold consultations with top Congress leadership, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, party sources said on May 15.

Meanwhile, the party is also gearing up for preparations for making the swearing-in ceremony of the chief minister a big show of strength, where several opposition leaders will be invited.