Cong-JDS govt is stable, asserts Deve Gowda

Bengaluru: JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Monday, December 24 dismissed any threat to the ruling coalition headed by his son HD Kumaraswamy after the recent cabinet rejig.

The government was stable and the alliance will efficiently fight the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he told reporters.

“Nothing will happen…why do you have doubts? It is all your (media) creation,” Gowda said in response to a question about troubles for the coalition government after the ministry expansion and reshuffle on Saturday.

Pointing out that there are senior leaders and high command in the Congress to resolve all issues, he said “don’t worry, the coalition government will work efficiently.” 

“We (alliance partners) will fight efficiently during parliament polls, there are no issues…I’m saying there is no trouble for a coalition government,” Gowda added.

Kumaraswamy Saturday had expanded his six-month-old cabinet, inducting eight members from the Congress in the much-awaited exercise, while dropping two ministers.

The rejig was marked by rumblings of dissidence, as many senior Congress MLAs were upset over their exclusion.

The JD(S) was not part of this round of cabinet expansion.

Asked when JD(S) will fill vacant slots under its quota, the party patriarch said “JD(S) is a small party and whatever we get, it is great for us, we don’t have any dispute.” 

After the recent cabinet expansion, Kumaraswamy cabinet’s strength now stands at 32.
According to to the pact between the two parties at the time of formation of the coalition government in May, two posts are now vacant from JD(S).