The first ever coordination meeting, of the newly formed alliance in Karnataka, between the Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress party at 4 pm on Wednesday, is going to be keenly watched as there has been a resentment in the Congress over the allotment of the portfolios.
The portfolios were allotted earlier this week after a two week delay. Chief Minister Kumaraswamy kept 11 portfolios for himself – including the key ministry of finance.
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Many Congress leaders are unhappy at being left out of the cabinet. Among the notable omissions is MB Patil, former Irrigation Minister who spearheaded the push for recommending minority status for Lingayats.
Other issues such as the coalition in the state between the Congress and JD-S and Common Minimum Programme are likely to be discussed in the meeting. The five-member coordination committee comprises Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Kunwar Danish Ali from the JD(S) and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal from the Congress.
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The JD(S) Congress coalition government in Karnataka was expanded on June 6, with the induction of 25 legislators as cabinet ministers including 23 from the alliance partners and one BSP MLA and an Independent.