New Delhi:

A day after its landmark victory in Karnataka, the Congress is yet to take a call on who will be the Chief Minister. Several aspirants are already making a pitch for the top post.

Frontrunner Siddaramaiah has sought an appointment with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and is expected to meet her in Delhi on Thursday evening. Siddaramiah on Wednesday said, "I'm a frontrunner in the race for the Chief Minister, but will abide by Congress high command's decision." Meanwhile, Mallikarjun Kharge is also being seen as the other top contender.

But other names like that of Union Minister Veerappa Moily are also doing the rounds. Reports said that a decision will be taken only after ascertaining the views of state legislators. However, KPCC chief G Parameshwara is out of the race after he was defeated on day.

It was a decisive victory for the Congress on Wednesday after a bitter battle with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). What appeared to be a close fight ended with a win - the result brought the Congress to power in the state after seven years and for the first time in over a decade with a complete majority.

Battered by a series of scams at the national stage, the Congress put up an impressive show in the Karnataka Assembly Elections crossing the half-way mark of 113 seats in a House of 224, and going on to win a clear majority of 121 seats, obviating the need for crutches and belying predictions.

source:http://ibnlive.in.com