Karna ministry to be expanded on June 6, JDS-Cong to fight LS

Ten days after coming to power, the JDS-Congress ministry in Karnataka is set to be expanded on June 6, as the two parties reached a power sharing arrangement after intense haggling and announced their decision to fight the Lok Sabha polls as pre-poll allies.

Capping protracted hard bargaining with Congress top central leadership stepping in, the two parties voiced their "firm resolve" to ensure that the coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy would complete its full five-year term.

The Congress has conceded the plum Finance portfolio to its junior partner, resolving a thorny issue, after its president Rahul Gandhi intervened and spoke to Kumaraswamy.

"Little bit of issues came in the form of finance portfolio. Lastly, Congress president Rahul Gandhi himself gave directions to us..that this coalition government is the need of the hour of the country," Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said.

Venugopal said, ..."Finally Congress decided to give finance portfolio to JDS, as per the direction of Rahul Gandhi," as he read out a joint statement signed by him and JDS secretary general Danish Ali at a press conference here.

Kumaraswamy, his predecessor Siddaramaiah and Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge were present.

As per the power sharing agreement, the Congress would get the portfolios of Home, Irrigation, Bangalore City Development, Industry and Sugar Industry, Health, Revenue, Urban Development;
Kumaraswamy said he and deputy chief minister G Parameshwara met the Governor Vajubhai Vala and asked for his time for the swearing-in but due to his prior engagement in Delhi from June 3 to 5th evening, "ultimately he has given the time for Wednesday 2 pm."