Karnataka
Though BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa was given an opportunity to form a government, he resigned after it became clear he could not muster additional support. The BJP said it would observe “Anti-people’s Mandate Day” on Wednesday to protest the formation of the coalition government .
On Tuesday, Congress leaders held discussions with party members most of whom had two questions: one, on the possibility of a ministerial berth for themselves, and two, on why they were still being sequestered at a leading hotel in the city. Meanwhile, several caste bodies got into the act, demanding representation in the cabinet for their community members. The All India Veerashaiv Mahasbha demanded that its President Shamanur Shivashankarappa be made the deputy CM and criticized Siddaramiah for the previous government’s “anti – Veerashaiva-lingayat” policy.
The Rashtriya Basava Sena has demanded that M B Patil who led the demand for a separate religion status to Lingayats be made the Deputy CM. Roshan Baig a seven term MLA of the Congress said that as a Muslim and member of minority community, he should be made the deputy CM.
Other MLAS are also demanding ministerial berths with some of them ferrying supporters from constituencies as a show of strength. The coalition has 117 members in the new assembly, barely 5 above the required majority, excluding the speaker. Any sustained turbulence on the distribution of ministerial berths might impact the functioning of the coalition government.
Kumaraswamy downplayed the frenetic negotiations between the two partners and also within both. “There are no differences of opinion within our coalition partners or within parties as being reflected by the media. We will ensure that everything progresses smoothly.” The floor test is expected to take place on May 25 after the speaker and his deputy are elected.
Harish Ramaswamy, a senior political analyst said that jostling for berths was expected and the longevity of the coalition government would be dependent on how effectively it satisfies demands from various factions in both parties.