Karnataka floor test: Kumaraswamy confident; dissent in Congress pacified

H D Kumaraswamy's swearing-in as Karnataka chief minister saw a show of strength by a galaxy of Opposition leaders who are looking to unite in a bid to take on Narendra Modi in 2019

As decided by the coalition partners, the JD(S) will name one of its senior legislators to the Deputy Speaker's post after the Speaker's election.

All the legislators of both the ruling parties continue to stay at star hotels in the city under the watch of their respective leaders till Kumaraswamy wins the trial of strength.

"We have asked all our MLAs to stay together in the city for one more day to ensure their presence in the Assembly to avoid cross-voting or abstention during crucial voting on the confidence motion," a Congress official said. Both the parties have issued whips to their respective lawmakers to vote in favour of the motion when put to vote. Kumaraswamy plans to expand his Ministry next week after the Congress submits the names for its quota of 21 Cabinet posts and he selects 11 of his legislators to fill the JD(S) quota of Cabinet posts.

"Discussions on the Cabinet expansion and who will be the Ministers will be held during the weekend as the leaders will be free after the trust vote on Friday," a JD(S) official said.

Here are the top ten developments regarding government formation in Karnataka and Kumaraswamy taking oath as chief minister: 

1) Parameshwara says full 5-year term for Kumaraswamy not discussed: A day ahead of the trust vote, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said the Congress-JD(S) coalition was yet to discuss modalities about H D Kumaraswamy continuing as Chief Minister for a full five year term.

"We have not yet discussed those modalities," he said in response to a question whether Kumaraswamy will be the Chief Minister for full five year term.

2) Karnataka CM to meet public daily at home office: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will meet public daily at his home office in the city to hear their grievances, said an official statement on Thursday.

"The Chief Minister will be available for public to meet at his home office 'Krishna' daily from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. whenever he is in Bengaluru," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office said.

3) Kumaraswamy says Congress, JD(S) have buried the hatchet to work together: Kumaraswamy allayed fears over the working and stability of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government. "I would like to convey to the people of Karnataka that they need not worry about the survival or duration of our government even after the trust vote as we (JD(S) and Congress) have buried the hatchet to work for the state's development as alliance partners," the chief minister said.   

4) Kumaraswamy says Cong, JD(S) will work for farmers, women, and youth: Kumaraswamy said that he was ready to shoulder the responsibility for the socio-economic development of Karnataka. "... Both parties are committed to providing an efficient administration for public welfare, especially of farmers, women, youths and senior citizens," he said. 

5) Kumaraswamy govt to face floor test tomorrow: Kumaraswamy will take the floor test in the Assembly on Friday to prove that the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka enjoys a majority in the House. "I will take the floor test on Friday to prove that our coalition government has a majority in the Assembly," Kumaraswamy told reporters after taking oath as chief minister.

Read our detailed updates copy on Karnataka government formation: Karnataka govt formation: CM Kumaraswamy to take floor test on Friday    

6) Kumaraswamy says allied with Cong in 'national interest': Kumaraswamy called himself a "child of circumstances", adding that he had decided to join hands with the Congress on the advice of several political leaders in the "national interest". He was speaking in reference to what he had said before the election: That if no party achieved a majority, he would sit in the Opposition and would not reach an understanding with any party.   

7) Dissent in Congress pacified: News of dissent had come from the Congress camp earlier, with reports that senior leader D K Shivakumar, who had played a crucial role in uniting the two parties, and his brother, D K Suresh, were restive over not being considered for the post of deputy chief minister. However, Shivakumar denied this and was present with other Congress seniors on the dais at the swearing-in ceremony. 

According to sources, All India Congress Committee secretary in charge of the state, K C Venugopal, pacified the brothers, reportedly promising to make Shivakumar president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.

  

8) Modi rings up Kumaraswamy, assures him of good relationship for development: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called up Kumaraswamy and assured him of a good relationship between the two regarding Karnataka's development issues, an official statement said. Reciprocating Modi's gesture, Kumaraswamy expressed willingness to maintain a good relationship with the Prime Minister on development issues pertaining to the state.  

9) CPI-M says electoral tactics alone cannot defeat BJP: While the Karnataka election aftermath has seen renewed Opposition unity against the BJP, the CPI-M has said that it would be wrong to underestimate the pan-India strength of the saffron party and to think that electoral tactics alone would be enough to defeat it. The CPI-M organ "People's Democracy" said in an editorial, "It is the struggles which have developed on economic and social issues which are undercutting the support garnered by the BJP."

   

10) BJP says Congress energetic in Goa due to 'unfair' Karnataka triumph: The BJP in Goa on Wednesday said that the Congress rejuvenation in the coastal state was due to its assumption of power in Karnataka by "unfair" means. 

Addressing a press conference in Margao town in South Goa, BJP spokesperson Subhash Phaldessai also said that the Goa Congress' public outreach initiative 'Jana Gana Mana' was aimed at creating confusion among the minds of Goans. "The Congress in Goa appears to have been encouraged after the party installed a (coalition) government in Karnataka by unfair means," Phaldessai said.