BENGALURU: With the fortnight-old JD(S)-Congress coalition government finally going for an expansion of the cabinet by inducting 25 ministers on Wednesday, the focus has shifted to allocation of portfolios. While the coalition partners have already reached an understanding in this regard, sources say there may be some last-minute exchange of portfolios.
An official announcement is expected on Thursday. The speculation is that the Energy portfolio, which was allotted to the JD(S), may be given to the Congress in exchange for another plum department. If that happens, Congress strongman D K Shivakumar is expected to get Energy. Otherwise, sources said, Shivakumar may land Water Resources and Major Irrigation. The key portfolio of Home is likely to be retained by Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara while Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is expected to keep with himself Finance and Excise ministries.
Former IT&BT minister Priyank Kharge is being considered for Social Welfare ministry alongside Housing, while U T Khader, the party’s sole MLA from Dakshina Kannada district, is likely to get Urban Development. Former Bengaluru Development Minister K J George is expected to be handed the Industries ministry while R V Deshpande, the seniormost Congress MLA who has conventionally held the Industries portfolio, is expected to be made Revenue minister.
The lone woman minister in the cabinet, Jayamala, is likely to get Women and Child Welfare ministry while Congress’ Zameer Ahmed is speculated to be made the Minorities Welfare and Waqf minister. H D Revanna is likely to get his preferred PWD and Energy portfolios while G T Devegowda is tipped to be made the Cooperation minister. Congress MLA from Byatarayanapura Krishna Byre Gowda is expected to get Law and parliamentary affairs ministry.