JDS chief questions delay in allocating portfolios to newly inducted MLAs

Bengaluru: JD(S) state President A H Vishwanath Tuesday took strong exception to the delay in allocation of portfolios to two Independent MLAs R Shankar and H Nagesh, who were recently inducted into the Ministry.

“The Chief Minister gave the opportunity to independents, one among them is from backward class and the other a Dalit. It has been four-five days (since swearing-in), they are now Ministers without portfolio. How could it be?” he asked.

Speaking to reporters here, he said “Their portfolios should be announced. Let them work.”

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Friday expanded his cabinet, inducting two Independent MLAs in an apparent move to give stability to his 13-month old wobbly government.

The exercise was seen as a move to ensure that the two independents don’t jump ship once again towards BJP.

Shankar was inducted from the Congress’ share and Nagesh from the JD(S) quota in the ministry.

Under the coalition arrangement, out of the total of 34 ministerial positions, Congress and JD(S) have shared 22 and 12 berths respectively.

Prior to the expansion, three posts were vacant– two from JD(S) and one from the Congress.

Pointing out that Excise, Municipal Administration and “most importantly” Primary and Secondary Education portfolios are vacant, Vishwanath said Ministers should be appointed.

“There have been some issues regarding uniforms, textbooks not getting printed yet. Why? Because there is no Minister.

For six to seven months we have not had the school education minister after N Mahesh (BSP MLA) resigned,” he said.

Kumaraswamy now holds the primary and secondary education portfolio.

Also, suggesting that one Minister’s post vacant with JD(S) should have been given to party MLC B M Farooq, Vishwanath said one each from Dalit, backward class and one minority would then have become Ministers.

“It would have earned respect to our party.It would have given meaning to JD(S) and its secular ideology,” he added.

Though the names of Vishwanath himself, who had recently resigned as JD(S) state President, but is still to be accepted and Farooq were doing the rounds for the third vacant post, the party decided to keep the post vacant for now.

Meanwhile, Shankar, who met KPCC chief Dinesh GunduRao Tuesday, said he was expecting a portfolio to be allocated to him in a couple of days.

“In Congress’ share, the Municipal Administration portfolio was vacant and I think I may be given that,” he said.