From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 31: Almost a week after being sworn in, the JD(S)-Congress coalition ministry headed by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is likely to be expanded this weekend.
The JD(S) and Congress have decided to share the ministerial posts by splitting them into 12 and 22 respectively.
However, the Congress party with a long list of ministerial aspirants is likely to induct 16 to 17 members to the ministry and keep 4 to 5 berths vacant.
This is described as part of the strategy to meet any exigencies of dissidence that may erupt after the cabinet expansion.
The expansion of the ministry is likely to be held in Saturday or Sunday.
Congress and JD(S) have decided to share the ministerial berths at 22 and 12 ministerial berths respectively including the posts of Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara of Congress and Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy of JD(S).
AICC General Secretary in-charge of party affairs in Karnataka KC Venugopal held discussions with JD(S) National Secretary General Danish Ali, KPCC President G Parameshwara, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other party leaders to iron out the differences on distribution of ministerial berths and sharing of prominent portfolios on Thursday.
"There is no confusion or differences over ministry expansion. Congress and JD(S) leaders are almost ready to complete the process on cabinet expansion and forming the coordination committee. A formal press conference would be hedl on Friday to share the details," Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy told reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday.
The deadlock on sharing of portfolios has been sorted out, informed sources said.
According to sources in Congress and JD(S), the deadlock between the two coalition partners over getting the Finance portfolio has been resolved.
Congress will get Home, Industries, Water Resources, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Energy and Bengaluru Development portfolios.
"Distribution ministerial berths which has proved a daunting task as there are too many aspirants and the challenge of balancing caste and regional equations has been causing the delay,’’ the sources said.
However, it has almost been sorted out by AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal, who is in constant touch with AICC President Rahul Gandhi, who is on a visit to US and expected to return late Friday night, said a senior KPCC functionary.