Karnataka : Delay in portfolio distribution due to dispute between Congress and JD(S)

It’s almost over a week since JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy and Congress Leader G Parameshwara took oath as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka. But the rest of the cabinet is yet to be formed as both the parties are looking for revenue-generating portfolios.

The problem is so serious that Kumaraswamy said that given the current arrangement, he is still at the mercy of the Congress.

Congress has 78 seats and JD(S) has 37 seats. Even though Congress has more, they chose to give the CM post to their ally.

Congress officials said that finance, revenue, public works and geology and mines have become the most sought-after ministries, with leaders of both parties attempting to drive hard bargains for them.

A former minister who requested anonymity said that state Congress leaders were of the firm opinion that if the JD(S) wants the finance portfolio, it should be willing to trade home, public works and geology and mines to the Congress.

The anonymous minister said “It has been decided that we will get 22 of the 34 ministries,” the leader said. “But these 22 cannot be vague ones.” The largest budget in the state includes geology and mines, which control crucial resources including sand; and revenue, which has a hold on the land.

Apart from this, the Congress wants rural development, education and backward classes welfare. Home Ministry also assumes importance because it controls internal security.

The Congress is looking to strike a balance between caste and regions in allocating ministries. It wants at least two substantial portfolios allotted to Lingayats, a community that the party feels is angry following the controversy over the party’s decision to give it minority religion status.

The cabinet formation is taking long because Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi are abroad on a personal trip. A Congress official said, “They had asked the state party unit to sort out all differences before they return in a few days.”

Parameshwara, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, senior leader DK Shivakumar and KC Venugopal are holding discussions with Kumaraswamy on the portfolios from the Congress’s side.

Image Source – India today