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Cong to keep coalition govt on tight leash through panel

Last Updated 28 September 2018, 08:45 IST

The Congress may have relented and given away the key Finance portfolio to the JD(S). But the grand-old party has decided to keep the JD(S)-led coalition government on a tight leash through the co-ordination and monitoring committee.

The coordination committee, headed by former chief minister Siddaramaiah, comprises Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, his deputy G Parameshwara, AICC general secretary incharge of Karnataka K C Venugopal and JD(S) national general secretary Kanwar Danish Ali.

The panel will be meeting at least once a month to sort out differences, if any, and ensure smooth functioning of the government.

This, in other words, means that Kumaraswamy may have to consult the panel before taking any major policy decision. “The Congress, being a majority stakeholder in the coalition set-up, may insist that the JD(S) bring important policy proposals before the coordination committee for discussion,” sources in the JD(S) said.

They said the JD(S) leadership was initially against Siddaramaiah, who is an arch-rival of JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda, heading the panel. But the Congress high command refused to budge on this issue. Siddaramaiah is known for his administrative acumen.

In fact, Siddaramaiah was the brain behind the Congress bargaining hard for
the Finance portfolio. Leaders of the two parties failed to arrive at a decision on the issue, prolonging the expansion of the council of ministers.

The Congress leaders finally gave up as per the instruction by party president Rahul Gandhi, the sources said.

Boards, corporations

Venugopal, who briefed the media about sharing of power on Friday, said all nominations to the statutory boards and corporations of the government will be cleared in the panel. Two-third of the total posts will be for the Congress, while the JD(S) will get one-third posts. Nominations will be done for the posts of heads and directors of various boards and corporations.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said the panel has been formed to iron out differences between the two parties in running the government.

“The committee will meet once or twice a month or whenever necessary to deliberate on decisions to be taken by
the government. We will come out with a common minimum programme in the interest of the state at the earliest,” he added.

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(Published 01 June 2018, 19:08 IST)

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