English
The Congress and the JD(S) are hardening their stand on ‘lucrative’ portfolios, which will be important as the general elections are just a year away
It has been 10 days since the new Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government headed by HD Kumaraswamy assumed office in Karnataka, amid the presence of a galaxy of Opposition leaders. The new partners, who displayed much bonhomie till the run-up to the government formation, have subsequently been involved in bitter infighting. Before the coalition was put in place, promises were made about quickly putting together a co-ordination committee, drawing up a common minimum programme (CMP) and forming a cabinet in an equitable power-sharing deal, reflecting the actual strength of the parties. But none of those promises have been kept so far. The partners can’t seem to agree on the CMP. Mr Kumaraswamy is ambivalent on whether some of the populist programmes of the previous regime will be continued or dropped.
On cabinet formation, the less said, the better. Both parties are hardening their stand on lucrative portfolios, which will be important as the general elections are just a year away. The CM, who is keen on taking credit for waiving farm loans, does not want to give up the finance portfolio. The Congress is equally adamant that it will not let the JD(S) walk away with all the credit and votes which may accrue and is digging its heels in. The JD(S) is insistent that it will not part with public works department and energy. These departments have large budgets and can be used for populist programmes. It is also saying that while it might agree to part with the home portfolio, it wants to retain the intelligence wing under the chief minister.
