Karantaka portfolio distribution: Congress, JD-S talk it out

New Delhi, May 31: The issue of portfolio allocation appears to have been sorted out between the two partners of the coalition government in Karnataka, with the Congress set to get Home and Finance going to the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S). “The issue of portfolio distribution has almost been resolved. JD-S will get Finance, Congress will get Home,” a senior JD-S leader said here. According to him, the announcement of portfolios is expected soon.

The leader said that the two parties also discussed the common minimum programme (CMP) and forming a coordination committee for smooth functioning of the government. The CMP will be based on the manifestos of the two parties. Sources said there had been five rounds of discussions between the JD-S and the Congress. Besides Home portfolio, the Congress is expected to get Higher Education, Health, Housing and Bengaluru Development, while the JD-S would get Medical Education, Agriculture and Revenue portfolios.

Congress leaders involved in the discussions included Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot and K.C. Venugopal. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is abroad in connection with the medical check-up of his mother Sonia Gandhi, had been apprised of the discussions, said the sources. JD-S leader H.D. Kumaraswamy was sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23 following a split verdict in the state. The Congress and the JD-S had been holding discussions on government formation ever since they won the trust vote on May 25. (IANS)