Kumaraswamy to induct two Independents to his Cabinet
Bengaluru, : Warding off any threat to his one-year-old JD(S)-Congress coalition government, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy has decided to induct two Independent MLAs into the Cabinet in a day or two.
According to official sources, Kumaraswamy, sensing a possible threat to his government by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to turn the table on the Saffron party by doling out Cabinet berths to the independent MLAs.
“The decision to induct two independents to the Cabinet, was taken following series of meeting with the coalition leaders including Kumaraswamy, JD(S) supremo H D Devegowda and the Congress leader Siddaramaiah and AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal”, a JD(S) leader said.
The decision to invite two Independents to join the Cabinet had caused heartburn among the BJP leaders who were expecting the government to collapse on its own following severe drubbing it received in the just concluded Lok Sabha election, the sources said.
To frustrate the BJP further, Kumaraswamy has also decided to wean away some of the BJP MLAs to resign their seat and reduce the strength of the Saffron party which has 105 MLAs in the 224 member House.
Meanwhile, Basavaraj Dandesugur, a BJP MLA, elected from Kanakagirei Assembly seat in Koppal district is reportedly inclined to join the ranks of the JD(S)-Congress combine, had sent shock wave in the BJP circle, as it is waiting in the wings expecting internal squabble among the ruling alliance parties.
The JD(S)-Congress leaders, who were successful in win over two independents, also looking forward few other BJP MLAs to resign their seats and strengthen the Coalition government.
“Those who are willing to join the JD(S)-Congress camp would be rewarded by offering plum posts in the state government if not cabinet berths” the sources added.
The Coalition JD(S) and the Congress leaders have decided to frustrate the Opposition BJP and save the government, a senior JD(S) leader said.
UNI.