Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (DC)
Bengaluru, May 20: Congress chief G Parameshwara is likely to be chosen as deputy chief minister in the JD(S)-Congress coalition government.
The senior leaders from both the parties on Saturday May 19 held talks regarding formation of council of ministers headed by H D Kumaraswamy.
It is speculated that Kumaraswamy is likely to keep the finance and the intelligence portfolios; Parameshwara is likely to be the home minister. Names of several senior leaders R V Deshpande, D K Shivakumar, K R Ramesh Kumar, H K Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, K J George, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, M B Patil, U T Khader and S R Patil from Congress and H D Revanna, Basavraj Horatti, Bandeppa Kashampur, G T Devegowda, A H Vishwanath, B M Farooq from the JD(S) are eyeing ministerial posts.
Sources said the Congress with 78 MLAs is seeking a larger share in the ministry and is reportedly demanding 20 portfolios. The key portfolios such as PWD, water resources, RDPR and revenue have been demanded by the JD(S).
The Congress is contemplating giving 13 ministerial posts to the JD(S). Trouble-shooter and 'Chanakya' of the Congress D K Shivakumar has been asked to be the chief of KPCC by the high command but he is also an aspirant for a ministerial post. He has been asked by the AICC to hold any one post and he is likely to opt for ministerial post, sources said.
The meeting was held between Congress senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, former CM Siddaramaiah and G Parameshwara from the Congress and Kumaraswamy and H D Revanna of the JD(S).
The formation of ministry and portfolio distribution will be finalised by JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and the Congress high command.