Choice of portfolios keeps coalition busy in K’taka
A Congress leader said party is willing to give PWD to JD(S) but would like to keep finance ministry
BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: Days after the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government proved its numbers on the floor of the House, the finance and Bengaluru development portfolios have emerged as a bone of contention with both parties laying claim to the crucial departments.
Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy held discussions with Congress leaders on cabinet expansion in Delhi on Monday. His deputy G Parameshwara, former CM Siddaramaiah, and former minister DK Shivakumar held one round of talks with party president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday.
With Gandhi travelling abroad with his mother Sonia for her medical check-up, senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and KC Venugopal (general secretary in-charge of Karnataka), have been tasked with handling the negotiations in the meantime.
A senior JD(S) leader, who was part of the negotiations in Delhi, said the party had asked for the finance ministry, water resources ministry and the public works department. “So far, no deal has been reached,” the JD(S) leader said, requesting anonymity. Kumaraswamy’s brother Revanna is said to be interested in handling the PWD portfolio, which he previously held.
A Congress leader in Delhi said on the condition of anonymity that his party is willing to give the PWD ministry but would like to keep the finance portfolio.
Another JD(S) leader said the Congress is demanding all key portfolios — finance, home, irrigation, excise, power, industry and Bengaluru development.
“There should be reasonable give and take. You cannot keep all portfolios just because you have given us the post of chief minister,” the leader said.
“We are likely to resolve the portfolio issue within a day or two,” Venugopal said after the meeting. Later in the day, Kumaraswamy also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I have discussed a lot of issues with the PM. He also extended me many suggestions. He advised me given his political experience. I am grateful to him,” the CM said.