The Congress — a coalition partner in the H.D. Kumaraswamy-led government — seems to have softened its stand on holding “powerful” portfolios such as Finance, Public Works, and Revenue, and has reached an unofficial understanding with the JD(S).
Sources in the Congress told The Hindu that at first, the party had adopted a tough stance, insisting on holding the key Finance, Public Works, and Revenue portfolios. But in the interest of the stability of the government and its effective functioning, the Congress took a step back. The Congress is likely to get other major portfolios such as Water Resources, Energy, Home, Bengaluru Development, and Industry.
Citing earlier coalition experiments, the State Congress leaders had staked their claim for the Finance portfolio.
Since the JD(S) has secured the Chief Minister’s post, the party should show generosity by giving Finance portfolio to the Congress, leaders in the Congress said.
In the 2004-05 coalition government headed by N. Dharam Singh, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was then in the JD(S), had held the Finance portfolio. In the JD(S)-BJP government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy, former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, then the Deputy Chief Minister, held the Finance portfolio.
Meanwhile, the Congress’ Central leaders, comprising Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ahmed Patel, Ashok Gehlot, and M. Mallikarjun Kharge asked the State leaders to relax conditions on key portfolios to ensure stability of the coalition government. Central leaders expressed disappointment over the inflexible manner of the State leaders, sources said.
Mr. Kumaraswamy, during interactions with Congress leaders on Monday, reportedly made it clear that the JD(S) was keen on holding the Finance Ministry to honour the pre-poll promise of farm loan waiver.
A Congress functionary said the expansion process of the Cabinet would be speeded up once the differences are resolved.
Sources said distribution of portfolios and expansion of the State Cabinet would be made public only after approval of the Congress president, Rahul Gandhi, who is in the U.S. with his mother for her medical check-up. Mr. Gandhi is expected to return to the country this weekend.
