by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore
- Kumaraswamy as CM for first 19 months
Bangalore, Jan 18: With a large faction of JD(S) deciding to pull out of JD(S)-Congress coalition, the countdown for the coalition of JD(S)-BJP has begun.
JD(S) Working President H.D. Kumaraswamy (son of JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda) spearheading the formation of the new coalition, has called a meeting of party legislators loyal to him this noon to work out the strategy. (He enjoys the support of 47 of the 58 JD(S) MLAs). It is considered to be the parallel meeting of JD(S) Legislature Party (JD(S)LP).
In swift political developments, Kumaraswamy held several rounds of talks with his loyalists yesterday, where it was decided to dump the Congress to have alliance with BJP.
Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy has sought an appointment with the Governor to submit a letter intimating withdrawal of support to Congress.
He will also submit the lists of JD(S) and BJP MLAs who are supporting him.
Kumaraswamy is learnt to have taken the responsibility of convincing his father H.D. Deve Gowda, who is opposed to ties with BJP.
On his return from Delhi last evening, Gowda refused to comment on the new developments. He also denied reports that he met BJP National General Secretary Ananth Kumar in Delhi yesterday.
According to the understanding already reached, the JD(S) and BJP may plan J&K type Government to share the re-maining tenure of 38 months for the post of Chief Minister.
Kumaraswamy will be the Chief Minister in the new coalition for the first 19 months with either B.S. Yediyurappa or K.S. Eswarappa as the Deputy Chief Minister.
A BJP leader will be the Chief Minister for the remaining 19 months. It could be Yediyura-ppa if he declines to accept the Deputy Chief Minister's post in the first 19 months.
JD(S) will have 14 ministerial berths including the post of the Chief Minister while BJP will have 18 Ministers including the Deputy Chief Minister.
It may be mentioned here that Star of Mysore had predicted about JD(S)-BJP coalition in its issue as far back as Jan. 8.