Cong Gets Lion’s Share in K’taka; Alliance Won’t Last, says BJP
JD(S) chief HD Kumaraswamy is expected to be sworn in as the chief minister of Karnataka on 23 May.
JD(S) leader and Karnataka Chief Minister-designate HD Kumaraswamy said he will take oath along with Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday, 23 May. Congress's KR Ramesh Kumar will be the Speaker of the state’s Vidhana Soudha.
Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary in Karnataka KC Venugopal said the party would get 22 portfolios, while 12 portfolios, including the chief minister's portfolio, would be given to the JD(S).
The portfolio allocation will be decided after the floor test on 24 May.
- HD Kumaraswamy met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi
- Swearing-in ceremony to be held on 23 May in Bengaluru
- Floor test to be held on 24 May
- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee among invitees
Alliance Won't Last Three Months: Yeddyurappa
BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa, while participating in ‘Anti-People’s Mandate Day’ protest organised against the Congress-JD(S) alliance, said that the alliance of the two parties won’t last more than three months.
“Hunger, greed and power is the basis of JD(S)-Congress alliance, such alliance will not even last 3 months,” said Yeddyurappa.
All Promises Will be Fulfilled: Kumaraswamy
Karnataka CM designate HD Kumaraswamy, while speaking to ANI, said that all promises made in the manifesto will be fulfilled.
“All the promises made in the manifesto will be implemented. Safeguarding the interest of the farming community is our top priority,” Kumaraswamy said.
Floor Test on 24 May
The floor test will be held on on 24 May in the Vidhana Soudha.
Only Me And Dy CM to Take Oath: HD Kumaraswamy
Addressing a press conference, CM-elect HD Kumaraswamy said only he and the Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara would take oath on Wednesday. He further added that he would not be living in the government-allotted bungalow, reported CNN News18.
Telangana CM KC Rao Meets HD Kumaraswamy
Telangana Chief Minister KC Rao met HD Kumaraswamy a day before his swearing-in ceremony to congratulate him on his chief ministership.
Speaking to reporters, he said:
Congress to Get 22 Portfolios, JD(S) to Keep 12
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said that while his party would get 22 portfolios, the JD(S) would keep 12, including the Chief Minister’s portfolio. The portfolio allocation will be done after the floor test, he added.
- Karnataka Government Composition:
- CM : HD Kumaraswamy
- Dy CM: G Parameshwara
- Congress : 22 Ministers
- JDS: 12 Ministers
- Speaker: Ramesh Kumar (Congress)
Congress' KR Ramesh Kumar Named Speaker
Congress leader KR Ramesh Kumar has been named Speaker of the Vidhana Soudha.
Congress' G Parameshwara to Take Oath as the Karnataka Deputy CM
Congress' G Parameshwara will take oath as the Karnataka Deputy CM on Wenesday, 23 May.
Everything Will Be Decided After Oath-Taking: HD Kumaraswamy
Speaking to reporters after the meeting with the Congress concluded, CM-designate HD Kumaraswamy said he will take oath along with the deputy CM on Wednesday, 23 May.
He further added that the speaker and deputy speaker would be elected on 25 May, while the rest of the portfolios will be decided on Thursday.
Stalin to Skip Swearing-In Ceremony in Light of Sterlite Protests
DMK Working President MK Stalin announced he would not be attending HD Kumaraswamy’s swearing-in ceremony, in light of the anti-sterlite protests in Tuticorin, where over nine persons have been killed.
Top Leaders From Congress-JD(S) Meet to Discuss Portfolios
HD Kumaraswamy, Siddaramaiah, KC Venugopal, Mallikarjun Kharge, HD Revanna, DK Shivakumar are present at the Congress-JD(S) meeting in Bengaluru’s Taj Westend to discuss portfolio sharing.
Rahul Gandhi to Announce Name of Dy CM and Speaker Today
KC Venugopal, the Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge said party President Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to announce the names of the speaker and the deputy chief minister on Tuesday, 22 May.
Sitaram Yechury Confirms He Will Attend Swearing-In Ceremony with Kerala CM
Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury confirmed that he will attend HD Kumaraswamy's swearing-in ceremony with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on 23 May.
Hitting out at the BJP, he said:
SC Refuses Urgent Hearing Against Invite to Cong-JD(S) To Form Govt in K'Taka
The Supreme Court refused to accord urgent hearing on a plea filed by the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) challenging Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to invite the Congress-JD(S) combine to form government in Karnataka.
The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and Navin Sinha for urgent listing but the court refused the request and said the plea be heard in the due course.
"You have mentioned it but we have not accepted it. It will come up in due course," the bench told the counsel representing the outfit.
The ABHM, in its plea, has alleged that the post-poll alliance of Congress-JD(S) was a "fraud" on the electorate.
"I Have Faith in Rahul Gandhi": DK Shivakumar
Speaking to reporters, Congress leader and MLA DK Shivakumar said:
Why Can't Muslim Communities Make Demands?: Roshan Baig
Talking about the Muslim organisations demanding that Congress’ Roshan Baig be made Deputy CM, he said, “What is wrong in it? Why not? If people from other communities can make demands then why can't people from my community? But, in the end high command will decide.”
No Discussion on Potfolio Allocation Today: Ramalinga Reddy
In a public statement, senior Congress leader and former Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “Today we discussed about the preparation of tomorrow's oath ceremony ,since our party leader Sonia Gandhi is coming . We have not discussed anything about the portfolio allocation today. No meeting of JD(S) and congress MLAs is schedule for today . Our senior leaders and senior leaders of JD(S) will meet later and decide about portfolio. Still 24 hrs are left for oath ceremony , we might see if we can include anyone for tomorrow's oath ceremony from congress. Definitely Deputy CM will be from congress in this government.”
Congress MLA Roshan Baig Should be Made Deputy CM: Muslim Orgs
A group of Muslim organisations, ina media briefing, said they demand that 7-time Congress MLA Roshan Baig be made the Deputy CM in the new government in Karnataka.
Speaker for Karnataka Assembly Will be From Congress
Speaker for Karnataka Assembly will be from the Congres and the name is likely to be announced by evening by local leaders, reported ANI quoting sources.
SC Refuses Urgent Hearing of Hindu Mahasabha Plea Challenging Kumaraswamy's Oath Taking
Supreme court refused to give an early hearing to the petition filed by Hindu Mahasabha that challenged the oath taking ceremony and appointment of HD Kumaraswamy as the Karnataka chief minister, stating it is unconstitutional.
Mallikarjun Kharge on Portfolio Distribution
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said to ANI, “Our first objective is speaker's election; vote of confidence is the next. Other things will be discussed only after these two are sorted.”
Hindu Sabha Files Plea at SC Over Kumaraswamy's Swearing-in
Hindu Mahasabha filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the oath taking ceremony and appointment of HD Kumaraswamy as the Karnataka Chief Minister, stating it is ‘unconstitutional’.
Yeddyurappa Writes to CEC Over VVPAT Machines Found
Eight boxes used for carrying Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines have been found at a temporary shed in a village in Karnataka's Vijayapura district, triggering a strong reaction from the BJP, which said it indicated "grave irregularities" in conduct of the polls.
Reacting to the incident, BJP, which emerged as the single largest party but fell short of simple majority, said it "exposed the enormity of the irregularities in the elections."
Writing a letter to Election Commission, BS Yeddyurappa said:
Congress Likely to Ask 2 Dy CM Posts in K’taka, Will JD(S) Agree?
According to sources, Congress has mooted two deputy chief ministers for the numerically strong party in order to strike a balance with the JD(S) but the regional party is believed to be not in favour of this proposal. KPCC chief G Parameshwara is among the frontrunners for the deputy chief minister's post.
Sources told The News Minute that former Energy Minister and Congress’ go-to man DK Shivakumar had initially eyed a second deputy CM post for himself, but the request was turned down to avoid sending out a wrong message with two Vokkaliga leaders at the helm.
Here are all the big shots in HD Kumaraswamy's guest list:
Opposition Expected to Show Strength at Kumaraswamy's Swearing-In
Congress President Rahul Gandhi, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi are expected to attend the Chief Minister designate HD Kumaraswamy’s swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, 23 May.
Among the other guests invited to the ceremony are Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao.
Former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Tejashwi Yadav, actor-turned politician Kamal Haasan and DMK Working President MK Stalin also invited for the swearing in Bengaluru.
"Congress Asked Kumaraswamy to be CM": HD Devegowda
In an interview with India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai, the party’s veteran leader HD Deve Gowda said it was the Congress who proposed the idea of making HD Kumaraswamy the chief minister. Speaking to Sardesai, he said:
When questioned on whether the allaince would sustain till 2019, Deve Gowda said:
He also rubbished reports on his candidature in the upcoming 2019 general elections.
Congress Likely to Get Speaker Post, Dy CM Decision Yet Unknown: Report
According to an NDTV report, the Congress is likely to get the post of the Speaker in the Assembly. However, the decision regarding a second deputy CM portfolio is still pending as the two state units are yet to agree on the formula.
Pinarayi Vijayan to Attend Swearing-In Ceremony
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka CM designate HD Kumaraswamy on 23 May.
Details Will be Finalised Tomorrow: HD Kumaraswamy
Speaking to reporters after meeting Congress President Rahul Gandhi, HD Kumaraswamy said Gandhi has given the go-ahead for all the modalities that were proposed.
Further, he said that Gandhi has granted permission to Karnataka Congress general secretary KC Venugopal to discuss and finalise the details.
He confirmed that both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi will be coming in on Wednesday for the swearing-in ceremony.
HD Kumaraswamy Meets Rahul and Sonia Gandhi
HD Kumaraswamy met Congress President Rahul Gandhi and senior leader Sonia Gandhi in Delhi.
‘Difficult Times Ahead’, Says State Congress Chief
Speaking to reporters, KPCC president G Parameshwara said difficult times were ahead, but there was a need to stop the BJP from coming to power in the southern state. He said he understood the sentiments of many who were averse to a tie-up between the Congress and JD(S).
However, the need to keep communal forces away from power made the Congress lend support to JD(S), Parameshwara said.
“I do understand the sentiments of many people that we should not have gone with the JD(S). But there was a need to stop the BJP from coming to power again in Karnataka. Keeping this in mind, our seniors took a decision to support the JD(S). We all must accept their decision,” he said.
Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha Moves SC Against Cong-JD(S) Forming Government
The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha has moved the Supreme Court against Karnataka governor's decision inviting the Congress-JD(S) alliance to form government.
Yechury to Attend Swearing-In Ceremony
Karnataka CM designate HD Kumaraswamy had a telephonic conversation with CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and invited him to attend his swearing-in ceremony on 23 May.
HD Kumaraswamy Meets Mayawati
HD Kumaraswamy met Mayawati, the chief of his pre-poll alliance partner Bahujan Samaj Party.
She is scheduled to attend the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday.
HD Kumaraswamy's Schedule for the Day
The CM designate was scheduled to meet Congess President Rahul Gandhi at 2.30 pm today, followed by a meeting with Sonia Gandhi at 4.30 pm.
Congress Addresses Media After Amit Shah's Blistering Attack
Hitting out at Amit Shah for denying that the BJP ever engaged in horse-trading, Congress’ Anand Sharma demanded that the BJP apologise to Congress MLAs for attempting to poach them.
He also demanded that an independent inquiry be launched into whatever happened over the course of the elections.
Sharma further said that the Congress and JD(S) have a history of alliance, highlighting HD Devegowda’s tenure as Prime Minister, when Congress was a major ally of the party at the Centre.
He also alleged that Amit Shah did not have any knowledge of the Constitution.
Sharma further hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he had undermined his office while campaigning in Karnataka, by indulging in wrong discourse.
Congress Clarifies 'Fourth Audio Clip Was Fake'
The Karnataka Congress, in a press conference on Monday, 21 May, clarified that the fourth audio clip alleging bribery by the BJP, was fake.
The Congress alleged that the audio clip was fabricated by a section of the media for a sting operation.
Watch: Amit Shah Addresses Media
Adddressing a press conference, BJP national president Amit Shah said that Karnataka’s mandate was anti-Congress.
Stating that the BJP was the largest party in the state, Shah said there had been a significant increase in the party’s vote share.
Slamming the Congress and JD(S) for losing many of their seats, Shah said:
Hitting out at the Congress and the JD(S) for allying to form the government, Shah termed their alliance “unholy”, adding that it was "against the mandate of the people".
He also alleged that the Congress had lied in the Supreme Court, over BS Yeddyurappa’s request for ‘seven days’ to prove majority.
Shah further alleged that Congress leaders had accepted that the audio tapes released by them “were false and it was released to influence the case in the Supreme Court.”
Responding to queries on Goa and Manipur, where the Congress has now claimed stake to form governments, Shah said during the elections, the party did not come up to claim stake although it was the single-largest party, and this was why the governors in the respective states had asked the BJP to form the government.
He also slammed the alliance for ‘conning’ the people of Karnataka, stating that the pros and cons of the alliance would be revealed only with time.
Imposition of President's Rule Would Have Been the Right Thing: Former Chief Election Commissioner
Imposition of President's Rule would have been the right thing to do in Karnataka, where Assembly elections threw up a hung verdict with no party getting absolute majority to form the government, former Chief Election Commissioner TS Krishnamurthy told PTI.
Noting that all three parties, BJP, Congress and JD(S) -- have not secured the majority, Krishnamurthy opined that Governor Vajubhai Vala should have imposed President's Rule for three months and, if no government is formed within this time-frame, then recommend dissolution of the House and conduct of fresh elections.
On the first-past-the-post election system, where a candidate winning highest number of votes is declared winner, Krishnamurthy said it should be done away with.
"The best thing is to either introduce proportional system, where political parties get seats based on the percentage of votes they get, or insist on 33.33 percent vote to be polled by the winner in which case smaller sections will play a less role and there will be more loyalty towards the constituency," he suggested.
G Parameshwara Likely to Be the Deputy CM of Karnataka
According to a report in The Hindu, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwara is likely to be sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, 23 May.
Amit Shah to Hold a Press Conference at 4 PM
BJP party president Amit Shah is scheduled to hold a press conference at 4 pm from the party headquarters in Delhi.
VS Ugrappa and BJ Puttaswamy Trade Barbs over Tape Row
Speaking to News18, Congress MLC VS Ugrappa, who had released the tape claiming that BJP leader BJ Puttaswamy tried to bribe Congress MLA Shivaram Hebbar’s wife says that the question is whether BJP indulged in horse-trading or not.
Meanwhile refuting the claims of Congress MLC, BJP MLA BJ Puttaswamy said, “Congress is maligning BJP's image. This is not a strong case. I am denying the allegations. I never spoke to any woman.”
Who All Will Attend the Swearing-In Ceremony?
- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be attending the swearing-in ceremony of HD Kumaraswamy on 23 May.
- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana's K Chandrashekar Rao are also expected to attend the swearing-in.
- Former UP Chief Minister and president of the Samajwadi Party Akhilesh Yadav is also amongst the invitees.
- Mayawati of the Bahujan Samaj Party, who had tied-up with Kumaraswamy's JD(S) will be present for the swearing-in.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too has been invited for the oath taking ceremony.
BJP Offered Me Minister Post: BC Patil, Congress MLA
After Congress MLA Shivaram Hebbar turned down the tape released by the Congress that allegedly recorded a phone conversation between a BJP leader and his wife, Congress MLA BC Patil has said the BJP did approach him and offered a ministerial post. He also said that BS Yeddyurappa, Sriramulu and Muralidhar Rao spoke to him, reported ANI.
Kumaraswamy Calls Reports on Resentment with Congress 'Fake'
Refusing any kind of bitterness between the Congress and the JD(S), Kumaraswamy has said, “Who told you? This is all bogus & fake news. This is not true.”
Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy too has clarified that the parties are ‘100% happy’ with the alliance.
Congress MLA Shivaram Hebbar Calls Bribery Bid Tape 'Fake'
The audio tape that was released by a Congress leader on Saturday, 19 May that allegedly recorded a phone conversation between a BJP leader and Congress MLA Shivaram Hebbar’s wife has been turned down by the Congress MLA Shivaram Hebbar.
In a Facebook post, Hebbar has said:
The tape had reportedly suggested that a BJP MLA was offering a bribe of Rs 15 crore to Hebbar’s wife if the Congress MLA voted for the BJP during the trust vote.
All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha Asks for a Veerashaiva Home Minister
All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha writes to HD Kumaraswamy, demanding Shamanuru Shivashankarappa (Congress), a Veerashaiva leader be made the Home Minister in the new government, reported ANI.
Reportedly, they have further asked that five other leaders from the community should be made ministers in the cabinet.
Only Chief Minister to Take Oath for Now: Mallikarjun Kharge
According to News18, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has said that only the chief minister will take the oath for now. The rest of the cabinet will be decided after the vote of confidence.
“The high command along with the state leaders will take a decision after the vote of confidence. As far as I know, only CM will take the oath for now.”
DK Shivakumar Addresses the Media Ahead of Kumaraswamy's Delhi Visit
Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Congress leader DK Shivakumar has said that since the Congress didn’t have the numbers they gave up the CM’s post. However, the Congress deserves more berths as they have more seats, reported News18.
Speaking to ANI, Shivakumar earlier said that “Rahul Gandhi has taken decision that there should be secular government here (in Karnataka). That's what the entire country needs & that's why we have taken this stand (alliance with JDS). I had to swallow all this bitterness, this is my duty.”
HD Kumaraswamy Responds to Rajinikanth's Cauvery Demand
Responding to actor tuned politician Rajinikanth’s comments on Cauvery, HD Kumaraswamy has once again said:
Reportedly, Rajiniknath had asked the new Karnataka government to release Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu as mandated by the Supreme Court verdict.
HD Kumaraswamy Offers Prayers
Karnataka chief minister-designate HD Kumaraswamy offered prayers at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Hassan, Karnataka, on Monday, 21 May, ahead of his meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.
Congress Demands PM Probe Horse-Trading Bid in Karnataka
The Congress demanded an investigation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi into the alleged horse-trading bid by the BJP to woo Congress and JD(S) leaders, ahead of the trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly on Saturday, 21 May, reported The Hindu.
A series of tapes were release by the Congress on the day of the trust vote to show the BJP’s attempts to get the MLAs to cross over.
Congress party spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said:
“The truth is, in 2014 the slogan in India was ghar ghar Modi. In 2019, the Congress will ensure it is ‘bye bye Modi.’ Today, we are making friends and the NDA is making enemies,” he added.
N Chandrababu Naidu Expected to Attend Swearing-In
Apparently unfazed by speculation that his Telugu Desam Party may join hands with the Congress in the future, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is expected to attend the swearing-in of HD Kumaraswamy as the chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, 23 May.
Naidu's Cabinet colleagues have suggested that he attend the ceremony given his closeness to former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, a statement from the party said.
The TDP chief discussed the issue with ministers though teleconference. He said Kumaraswamy had invited him for the function.
The statement said the ministers mentioned the close ties the TDP had with the JD(S), and Naidu's role in making Deve Gowda the prime minister in 1997.
Kumaraswamy to Meet Rahul-Sonia Gandhi in Delhi
Ahead of his swearing-in as the Karnataka chief minister, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy will meet Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi to discuss the modalities of government formation.
Clarifying that no discussion has taken place so far on the allocation of ministerial berths, Kumaraswamy termed reports on the power-sharing formula of 30 months each between the parties as "bogus.”
Based on the outcome of discussions with them, a decision will be taken on the number of Congress and JD(S) MLAs who will become ministers, Kumaraswamy added.
He also asserted that within 24 hours of taking oath, he would prove the majority on the floor of the House.
"Mostly on Wednesday there will be oath-taking ceremony after that on Thursday we will complete the process of Speaker's election and trust vote," he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
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