Coalition blues! JD(S) may not fill its Cabinet quota now

Bengaluru: The Janata Dal (S)  may postpone the filling of two Cabinet berths and making appointments to various boards and corporations  by at least a couple of months given the current fragile political situation in the state, according to party sources. 

Having seen the open revolt in the Congress  after the recent Cabinet expansion, the JD(S) is reportedly worried about provoking a similar response to the announcement of its candidates, particularly with the Lok Sabha polls approaching. The party had promised to fill the two Cabinet berths and  appoint chairmen to boards and corporations by January 15, but has let the deadline pass on instruction from  JD(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda, reveal sources. 

A senior JD(S) leader explains the Cabinet expansion is unlikely to take place next month with the budget session starting on February 6 or even later as the dates of  the Lok Sabha polls may be announced by then, forcing the party to focus on the campaign. "There are many contenders for the two Cabinet berths and any wrong step by the party may cause both Mr Gowda and Mr Kumaraswamy embarrassment," he reasoned, pointing out that ever since senior leader, Basavaraj Horatti, was denied the post of chairman of the  Legislative Council he had been openly criticising his party bosses for toeing the line of the Congress  party.

Now a few JD(S) leaders are reportedly batting for a Cabinet berth for Mr Horatti and Mr B M Farook too is said to be hoping for one under the minority quota.  Mr Gowda has, however, neither made up his mind on filling the vacant berths nor on the list of names submitted by state JD(S) president A H Vishwanath for the boards and corporations, according to sources.