HD Kumaraswamy, the Karnataka Chief Minister elect and Janta Dal (Secular), will call on Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at 7 pm today to finalise the form of the coalition government that he will head in the state. He has already reached Delhi and met BSP supremo, Mayawati, whose lone legislator is also supporting the alliance government.
Kumaraswamy who had deferred a vote of confidence that he was initially tipped to seek on Monday to Thursday is also likely to finalise the cabinet and state ministers and their portfolio in consultation with Congress leaders. A common minimum programme is also being planned. The government can have 33 ministers in Karnataka. In the recently held elections, the Congress had won from 78 constituencies and has 78 legislators, against the 37 of JDS and one of BSP. Two independents are also supporting the coalition. The Congress is demanding the post of deputy chief minister and proportionate ministers in the State Cabinet, sources said.
