A day after the united Opposition inflicted maximum damage to the BJP in bypolls across 10 States, the Congress and the JD(S) on Friday declared they will contest the next lok Sabha elections together. The two parties also sorted out all other issues related to portfolios allocation paving the way for the Cabinet expansion on Wednesday. It has also been agreed that Kumaraswamy will be the Chief Minister for the full term.
In a joint Press conference addressed by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal, the two parties detailed the understanding arrived at on a host of issues.
“The Congress and the JD(S) will fight the 2019 lok Sabha elections as part of alliance,” Venugopal said.
“Based on the discussion with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, I will be the Chief Minister for the full five-year term. There is no confusion about even Ministry sharing. We are clear about everything,” said Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.
It is learnt that the intervention of Rahul helped resolve many issues which include the contentious issue of allocations of Finance portfolio.
The two parties also decided to work on a common agenda that will be prepared soon and the Government will function accordingly.
“The new Government would also have a Coordination Committee headed by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and it will meet at least once a month. The committee will ensure that the Government is run in a transparent manner and is held accountable.
It should focus on farmers and women empowerment besides other issues,” Venugopal said.
He said besides Home portfolio, the Congress will get Irrigation, Bengaluru City Development, Revenue and Muzarai, Urban Development, Rural Development, law and Parliamentary Affairs, Agriculture, labour, Health, Housing, Mines and Geology, Housing, Women and Child welfare, Minority Affairs, Youth and Sports, Medical Education and Social Welfare.
Apart from Finance, the JD(S) will get Excise, Information and Publicity, Public Works Department, Power, Cooperation, Tourism, Education apart from Medical Education, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Horticulture and Sericulture, Small Scale Industry Development and Minor Irrigation.
Venugopal said portfolios of remaining Cabinet slots would be decided by the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister after mutual consultations.
The allocation of these portfolios between the two coalition partners was final. However, if there need be any change in Cabinet berths it was left to the respective parties to do it on their own, he added.
Kumaraswamy announced that the Ministry expansion will take place on Wednesday. “We had thought of expanding the Cabinet on Sunday, but as the Governor has a pre-scheduled programme to visit Delhi, it will be fixed on Wednesday,” he said.