Deadlock over portfolio ends: JD(S) to get Finance, Congress settles for Home ministry

The week-long deadlock between the Congress and JD(S) alliance government in Karnataka saw an end, with JD(S) getting the Finance ministry and Congress agreeing to settle for the Home ministry.

The decision was taken after 5 rounds of discussions between the top leaders of both the parties. A telephonic conversation was held with AICC President Rahul Gandhi too, after which Congress said yes to the compromise formula.

An official statement in this regard is awaited and the announcement on all the portfolios is also expected to be out shortly. The Congress General Secretary and Karnataka In-Charge KC Venugopal and JD(S) General Secretary Danish Ali are expected to arrive in Bengaluru and hold talks with the party members and the announcement regarding the portfolios will be made later.

The Congress and JD(S) announced their alliance on May 15, the day of results. However, Yeddyurappa the leader of BJP, the single largest party was sworn in as the Chief Minister but had to step down in three days as he could not prove the majority.

HD Kumaraswamy, State president of JD(S) and former CM was chosen as the CM candidate and he took oath on May 23 and proved the majority on May 25. Since then, there was infighting with regard to the distribution of portfolios and both Congress and JD(S) wanted the Finance Ministry, leading to delay in announcing the Cabinet members.

JD(S) was arguing the all these years the CM has been maintaining the Finance Ministry and the practice should continue. But Congress was arguing that in the coalition, JD(S) has got the CM's post and it should be given the Finance ministry. 

With the news of deadlock ending, there will be clarity on all the portfolios and an announcement will be made in this regard shortly. It also looks like the Congress has given up its proposal to name the second Deputy CM too.

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