Bengaluru/IBNS: Karnataka's next Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar were given a grand welcome as they reached Bengaluru to attend the legislature meeting of the party where the formal election will take place.

Both the leaders were seen smiling and keeping up a united face after the 3 am breakthrough where it was announced that Siddaramaiah will take oath as Karnataka's next chief minister.

Later in the evening, the Congress MLAs will meet the Governor to stake claim to form the government in the state.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held at 12:30 pm on May 20.

According to reports, an understanding was reached by the Congress leadership and it was decided that Shivakumar will succeed Siddaramaiah in the top post halfway through the term.

The five-day impasse over the top post was resolved after intervention by Congress's former president Sonia Gandhi.

DK Shivakumar was persuaded to accept the post of Siddaramaiah's deputy. In addition, he would also have control of the party and get his pick of six ministries.

In the May 10 elections, the Congress registered a comfortable victory over the mighty Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) winning 135 out of 224 seats.

The BJP lagged behind with only 66 seats leaving the rest for JDS and Independents.