Cong, JD(S) meet over portfolio sharing, deal likely soon

The Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] are likely to seal the deal over portfolio allocation in Karnataka within a day or two, a senior Congress leader said on Monday after the two coalition partners held deliberations over the issue.

Top leaders of the two parties, including chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and deputy CM G Parameshwara, met in New Delhi at the residence of the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel and AICC incharge of party affairs in Karnataka KC Venugopal were also present during the meeting.

“We held discussions with chief minister Kumaraswamy and other leaders of our ally in Karnataka. We are likely to finalise the portfolio-sharing issue within a day or two. We will be meeting again this evening and hold further discussions,” Venugopal said.

After the meeting, Kumaraswamy exuded confidence that an amicable power-sharing arrangement would be worked out.

JD(S) leader Danish Ali, who was also part of the discussions, said the talks were “constructive” and would yield a positive outcome.

The two partners in Karnataka are involved in hectic bargaining over portfolio sharing ever since they got together to form a government in the southern state.

Kumaraswamy had admitted earlier to having “some issues” with the Congress over allocation of portfolios in the new government.

Sources said the two partners want key portfolios of finance and home, besides other departments such as public works department (PWD), power, mining, water resources, irrigation and urban development.

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