Janata Dal (S) leader HD Kumaraswamy will fly to Delhi on Monday to meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to discuss contours of the Congress-JD(S) alliance Government in Karantaka.
The JD(S) leader has denied report of the power-sharing formula of 30 months each between both the parties and asserted that within 24 hours of taking oath, he would prove the majority on the floor of the House.
Amid report that the Congress will get 20 ministerial berths and JD (S) 14, Kumaraswamy clarified that no discussion has taken place so far on the allocation of ministerial berths. He requested the media not to create confusion among public and MlAs with such “speculative” reports.
“I’m visiting New Delhi tomorrow...I will meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi and the party’s senior leader Sonia Gandhi. Based on the outcome of discussions with them, a decision will be taken on the number of Congress and JD(S) MlAs who will become Ministers,” Kumaraswamy told reporters.
Kumaraswamy also may call on other senior Opposition leaders in Delhi. Both Congress and JD(S) are trying to ensure the presence of all big guns of the Opposition parties to showcase the success of Karnataka as roadmap for future unity of the Opposition.
After BJP legislature party leader BS Yeddyurappa stepped down as the Chief Minister on Saturday without facing the floor test in the State Assembly as the BJP fell short of numbers, Governor Vajubhai Vala invited Kumaraswamy to form the Government.
After meeting the Governor on Saturday, Kumaraswamy had said the swearing-in ceremony would take place tentatively between 12 noon and 1.50 pm at Kanteerava stadium on May 21. But, later he announced that the event would be held on May 23 as May 21 happens to be the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The venue of the swearing-in is also likely to be changed, with party sources now saying it is likely to take place at Vidhana Soudha (the seat of the State legislature). However, Kumaraswamy said he had spoken to the Chief Secretary and other senior officials about it and they would take a call on the venue.
Kumaraswamy on Sunday met his father and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda at his residence and later visited the hotel where JD(S) MlAs are camping and held a meeting with them. The Congress is also taking no chance and keeping its MlAs together at a post hotel.
On reports about parleys with Congress leaders regarding elections in Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Jayanagar Assembly constituencies, Kumarasamy described it as “bogus”.
“It is a bogus news...No such discussions have taken place. Wining Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Jayanagara is a necessity. Till now, no such discussions have happened,” he said.
While polling was deferred in Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency over allegations of electoral malpractice, election to Jayanagar seat was countermanded following the death of the BJP candidate.