Bangalore, May 13 (ANI): K. Siddaramaiah, who led the Congress Party to victory in the May 5 assembly elections in Karnataka, took oath as the state\u2019s 22nd chief minister on Monday.
\nState Governor H R Bhardwaj administered the oath of office to Siddaramaiah at a ceremony at the Sri Kanteerava Stadium here.
\nSiddaramaiah, a five-time MLA from Varuna in south Karnataka, was on Friday elected as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party in the state.
\nThe decision in this regard was taken after four AICC observers led by Defence Minister A.K. Antony took the views of newly-elected MLAs on the issue of chief ministership.
\nSiddaramaiah, who is a backward caste leader from the Kuruba community, met former External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna for about 20 minutes earlier in the day to seek his support for the coveted post.
\nCongress made a spectacular comeback in Karnataka wresting power after seven years in its old southern fortress. The party won 121 seats in the 224-member assembly.
\nThe BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) finished second with both winning 40 seats each.
\nYeddyurappa\u2019s KJP won six seats, while the independents and others won 16 seats.
\nElections in Karnataka were conducted for 223 seats. Elections in one constituency – Periyapatna \u2014 was deferred to May 28 due to the death of the BJP candidate.<\/p>\n\n