"My Power Is 135 MLAs": DK Shivakumar Says Reaching Delhi Tonight

'My power is the 135 MLAs. Under my leadership, the Congress has won 135 seats," DK Shivakumar said.

DK Shivakumar, the Karnataka Congress chief who is in the running for the state's top post, today claimed credit for the party's victory in the state, saying he has the backing of 135 MLAs. The Congress won 135 seats in the state in the last week's assembly election, including Siddaramaiah, Mr Shivakumar's rival for the top post.

"Yesterday 135 MLAs have given their opinion and passed a one-line resolution, few have expressed their personal opinion. My power is the 135 MLAs. Under my leadership, the Congress has won 135 seats," Mr Shivakumar said.

"I will finish my private programme and visit my God and go to Delhi. Our high command had called me and (Mallikarjun) Kharge. I'm late," said Mr Shivakumar, who is also celebrating his birthday today.

Mr Siddaramaiah is already in Delhi for the meeting with the Congress leadership, which has been sounding out the state leaders to know their preference for the top post. The final decision will be taken by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who is one of Congress's tallest leaders in the state.