Karnataka: JD-S to get Finance, Congress Home as stalemate over portfolios ends

After days of hectic negotiations, the stalemate between the Congress and the JD-S over portfolio distribution in Karnataka has ended after both parties agreed on the new power-sharing arrangement.

As per the new arrangement, the Congress will get the home ministry in Karnataka and the JD-S the Finance portfolio, which was the major bone of contention between the allies, PTI quoted highly placed sources.

"The power-sharing arrangement between the two alliance partners is being finalized and is in the final stages," the sources added, according to PTI.

Since Wednesday, top local leaders of both the Congress and the JD-S have held five rounds of talks behind closed doors in Bengaluru to finalise the portfolio sharing arrangement.

“We have held five rounds of talks with each other and have decided that the JD-S will get the Finance portfolio. I will be now travelling to Bengaluru to hold further talks within our party,” PTI quoted JD-S leader Danish Ali as saying.

Ali added that he would also meet both Chief Minister HD Kumarswamy and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda over the matter.

Sources said Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who is in the United States, spoke to local party leaders in Karnataka on phone and played a crucial role in distributing the portfolios between the two alliance partners.

(With PTI inputs)