Karnataka CM Race: SOON after the Congress party announced the name of Karnataka Chief Minister after days of speculation and rumours, senior leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said on Thursday that the oath-taking ceremony is not just a mere celebration but the dedication to democracy of the grand old party.

Surjewala, who has been a key figure in the various processes of the Congress party, from elections to deciding the Chief Minister, said that all the allies will be invited to the swearing ceremony of the Chief Minister and the deputy Chief Minister in the southern state.

"All the allies will be invited to the swearing-in ceremony of the chief minister and the deputy chief minister."

"Our only formula is the service of people. Whoever wants to serve the people can do so, as much as they want. All our allies will be invited (to the oath-taking ceremony). This is not a celebration but Congress’s dedication to democracy…those who want to fight for democracy and save the Constitution, can attend the event…," he said while talking to ANI.

After days of deliberation, Congress announced that party leader Siddaramaiah will be the next Karnataka Chief Minister and DK Shivakumar will be Deputy Chief Minister.

Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal made the announcement at the party headquarters here.

He said Shivakumar will continue as state Congress chief till the Lok Sabha polls. He will be the only deputy chief minister.

"DK Shivakumar will continue as the PCC president till the end of parliamentary elections. CM, Deputy CM and a group of ministers will be sworn in on May 20," Venugopal said.

He gave credit for the party’s emphatic victory in Karnataka to the people of the state and noted.

Referring to Siaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, he said there is a desire to be chief minister and "both of them deserve it also".

"I would like to sincerely thank the people of Karnataka for the victory of the Congress and for standing by the party. Our president Khargeji, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and all the CMs campaigned extensively," Venugopal said.

"We have a very good chunk of leaders there in our party in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar are dynamic leaders and are an asset for the party. Definitely, everyone has a wish and desire of becoming Chief Minister and they deserve it also, both of them deserve it also," he added.

AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, who is in charge of Karnataka, said Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra laid the foundation of the party’s campaign in the state.

A meeting of the Congress legislature party in Karnataka will be held on Thursday evening to formally elect Siddaramaiah as the legislature party leader.

The Congress bagged 135 seats in the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, ousting the ruling BJP, which got 66 seats, while the Janata Dal (Secular) secured 19 seats.

(With input from agencies)