Karnataka: Final Congress-JD(S) deal to be hammered out today
Follow UsThe final Congress-JD(S) deal is expected to be hammered out today in Bengaluru.
The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy — who will be sworn in as chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday — met Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday in Delhi.
Rahul described the meeting as "cordial".
But issues remain.
The Congress for one reportedly wants two deputy chief ministers. The Congress has 78 MLAs in Karnataka, the JD(S) has 37. (The latter won 38 seats but Kumaraswamy had contested, and won, from two seats.)
The Congress believes having two deputy CMs will even out the balance of power.
The JD(S) would rather have one.
The speaker's post, however, news reports said Tuesday, will go to the Congress.
Speaker for #Karnataka Assembly will be from Congress. Name likely to be announced by evening by local leaders: Sources
— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2018
The Congress is also expected to get anywhere up to 20 seats in the 33-member Karnataka cabinet.
I had a warm and cordial meeting this evening, in Delhi, with Shri H D Kumaraswamy ji. We discussed the political situation in Karnataka and other matters of mutual interest. I will be attending his swearing in as CM of Karnataka, on Wednesday, in Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/sZAwX8mQut
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2018
The reports added that the parties are also likely to set up a coordination committee and to draft a common minimum programme.
The reports quoted Kumaraswamy as saying that Rahul had "cleared the modalities". And that AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal would hammer out the final details today in Bengaluru.