Karnataka: Congress and JDS to fight 2019 General Elections together
Amid growing speculations of a pre-poll alliance between Congress and JD(S) for the upcoming LS elections, Congress leader KC Venugopal today confirmed that both the parties would fight the elections together. The announcement comes after their alliance concluded the negotiations of Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy's cabinet. The critical finance ministry has gone to the JD(S) and the home department to the Congress. Here are the finer details.
"We have come to a conclusion"
"We (Congress-JDS) have come to a conclusion regarding cabinet expansion and portfolio allocation. JD(S) will be holding the finance portfolio. Everything is settled," said Congress leader KC Venugopal.
Expansion of ministry scheduled on June 6
CM Kumaraswamy said that the expansion of ministry would take place on June 6. Talking about the deal between JD(S) and the Congress party, he revealed that the Congress has got 22 ministries that include home, health, irrigation, agriculture, women & child welfare, among others. The JD(S) got 12 ministries, including finance & excise, tourism, PWD, and education.
Maintaining stability: Coalition coordination and monitoring committee
The alliance also formed the coalition coordination and monitoring committee that shall meet at least once a month to clear appointments in statutory boards and to smoothen the functions of the coalition government. Former CM Siddaramaiah will head the committee.
Remaining portfolios to be discussed later
CM Kumaraswamy will decide the remaining portfolios in consultation with his deputy, G Parameshwara of Congress. It's still unknown who will get which portfolios. DK Shivakumar, who was instrumental in preventing the flock from defecting to the BJP, is in the race and said, "I don't know what I will get."
