Karnataka cabinet: Deal done, JD(S) gets finance, Congress home

It appears as though the deal between the Congress and JD(S) is almost final. The JD(S) will get to keep the finance portfolio, while the Congress would handle the home ministry, sources tell OneIndia.

The H D Kumaraswamy cabinet in Karnataka is expected to be sworn in over the weekend. As per the agreement, the Congress would also get heavy industries, IT/BT, education and travel.

The JD(S) on the other hand would get PWD, cooperative affairs and revenue. In all the JD(S) would get 12 portfolios which includes the post of Chief Minister. The Congress on the other hand would get 22 portfolios including the post of deputy chief minister.

The agreement was struck after much deliberation. During a meeting with Ghulam Nabi Azad in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy had even threatened to step down if the finance portfolio was not given to his party.

Kumaraswamy had insisted on the finance portfolio so that he could implement the Rs 53,000 crore farm loan waiver which he had promised in his manifesto. The CM has come to a conclusion on this issue and the waiver would be implemented in phases. He had sought for 15 days time to work out the modalities.

Both the Congress and JD(S) which have got negative press regarding the cabinet formation did not want to delay the issue any further. The survival of this coalition is crucial to both parties ahead of the 2019 elections.