B S Yeddyurappa has become the Chief Minister. The JD (S) leaders, however, are in no mood to join his Cabinet on or before November 19, the day the chief minister is scheduled to seek a vote of confidence on the floor of the Legislature. The reason is simple - JD (S) leader H D Kumaraswamy is firm that the BJP should agree to the terms and conditions laid down by his father - H D Deve Gowda.
The BJP too has imposed nine conditions to the JD (S). Kumaraswamy, however, is yet to go through the same. The conditions have come from Keshava Krupa, the RSS Headquarters, according to the former CM. So when would his team members join the Cabinet? HDK doesn’t have a direct answer: “Let us see... may be on November 21,” he says.
Over a cup of coffee with Deccan Herald reporters Asha Krishnaswamy and P M Raghunandan, at a hotel on Tuesday evening, Kumaraswamy minced no words while criticising the new chief minister for his ‘unilateral’ decisions on transfers of officials and decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting which have financial implications. Kumaraswamy, who is usually cool and composed, looked agitated though he insisted that he was relaxed. Here are excerpts from the interaction:
What was your feeling when Yeddyurappa was sworn in as CM? Because, you are instrumental in allowing the BJP to come to power in the South.
I was neither elated nor unhappy. The BJP said as per people’s desire, it has come to power. However, the people have not given a clear mandate to any party. The government has been formed because of the blessings of the legislators and not the people. The BJP should not forget this.
You are not happy with Yeddyurappa taking policy decisions. Then why don’t you join the Cabinet so that you can have a say in administration?
I want to express my views on the BJP’s and the Congress’ behaviour over the last one month, on the floor of the House. On November 19, I will speak out my mind in the Assembly. The speech may go on for at least a couple of hours. Let my views go on record.
My party colleagues may be sworn-in on November 21. When that happens, it will be on the pedestals of the Vidhana Soudha. On the same day, a mammoth rally of our party will be held at Palace Grounds.
You are going to be the Deputy Chief Minister, isn’t it? Which portfolio will be yours?
Left to me, I would not join the Cabinet. However, the circumstances may force me to do otherwise. The party wants me to be the Deputy CM. I would like to have a portfolio which would allow me to serve the people very effectively. The BJP wants to keep Home under its purview and I have no objection to this.
Do you think this government would survive the next 19 months?
It should complete the full term. However, the BJP national president Rajnath Singh on Monday stated that his party was ready for early elections. So... we can’t predict anything.
How much freedom did you have in taking policy decisions as the CM in the coalition set-up? Will the new CM have the same freedom?
I never bothered about my freedom. I had the job satisfaction. I never interfered in the functioning of my Cabinet colleagues. The BJP MLAs got all their work done from me. Let’s see how the new system would work.
 Will there be joint celebrations by your party and the BJP for opening the second innings of the coalition?
 No. The BJP had taken out many processions criticising us. It has never shown inclination to have any joint celebrations.