Bengaluru/IBNS: As Congress keeps suspense on the chief minister post in Karnataka, party's state chief DK Shivakumar, who is in the running for the top post along with veteran Siddaramaiah, Monday claimed credit for the thumping victory in the southern state.

Shivakumar said he has the backing of 135 MLAs. The Congress won 135 seats in the state in the last week's assembly election.

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

He also took credit for rebuilding the party after the coalition government with HD Kumaraswamy collapsed as nearly 20 MLAs left and joined the BJP. 

"A single man with courage makes a majority and I have proved it. I don't want to disclose what all has happened in the last five years," he told reporters.

"When our MLAs left the party, I did not lose heart and took the responsibility with courage. Mallikarjun Kharge is the senior leader and Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have confidence in us. We will leave the matter to them," he added.

"I will finish my private programme and visit my God and go to Delhi. Our high command had called me and Siddaramaiah. I'm late," said Shivakumar.

However, the leader said he would not come tonight.

Siddaramaiah is already in Delhi for the meeting with the Congress leadership over the top post.

The team is understood to have briefed the party's national leadership, which includes Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Rahul Gandhi.

The final decision will be taken by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also one of Congress's tallest leaders in the state.