As uncertainty continues to haunt the Bharatiya Janata Party's prospect of forming government in Karnataka, the Janata Dal-Secular president H D Deve Gowda has laid down certain conditions to the saffron party which included a major say for his son, former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, in decision making.
Gowda, after unilaterally declaring support to the BJP, is now trying to gain control and also liberty for the JD-S to walk out of the coalition.
The former prime minister, in a letter sent to BJP president Rajnath Singh, has said B S Yeddyurappa will be the chief minister and the deputy chief minister's post be given to a nominee suggested by the JD-S.
He said allotment of portfolios to ministers should be done in consultations with Kumaraswamy, contrary to the earlier agreement that the parties swap portfolios held by them in the previous tenure.
Gowda has insisted that the government provide protection to minorities and Dalits.
In an attempt to gain control over the bureaucracy, Gowda said Kumaraswamy should be consulted on important administrative postings and promotions in respect of top officials to maintain quality administration.
"As far as possible, the state cabinet shall recommend for dissolution of the House in the event of dissolution of the current Lok Sabha or the term of the present Union Cabinet ending, so that the state may go to elections at the same time allowing parties to contest independently," Gowda said.
In the wake of his family having had to face charges of corruption from BJP MLC G Janardhana Reddy, Gowda has told the BJP that no minister, legislator or leader of the respective parties shall level charges against each other.
Presidents of both the parties shall also not level any charge against each other publicly, Gowda insisted.
If there are any grievances, these shall be discussed through their leaders in the coordination committee, which has to be formed with leaders from both sides and resolved.
He has demanded setting up of an overseeing committee, meetings of which will be presided over by Kumaraswamy to periodically review programme implementation.
All cabinet decisions with regard to ongoing development and other important works of public importance shall not be altered or annulled without political consensus.
"In the event of any significant departure or deviation from the above understanding that impairs the ability of the coalition to provide highest standards of governance in the state, which remains unresolved through the mechanism of coordination committee, any of the partners shall be at liberty to withdraw from the coalition," Gowda said.
BJP sources said its top leaders will discuss these conditions and offer their reaction later.
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