Mumbai, May 29: In Karnataka state, HD Kumaraswamy, the MLA of the smallest party JD(S) was sworn-in as the CM, after Congress-JD(S) came together in coalition earlier this week. However,  portfolios between the Congress-JD(S) are yet to be distributed. According to sources, both JD(S) and Congress are keen to keep the essential portfolios with them, which include finance, power, revenue, home. JD(S)  is especially eyeing the finance portfolio since HD Kumaraswamy wants to announce the loan waiver to farmers who are suffering from a financial breakdown. This has lead to a delay in power sharing between the two parties.

As per a news report in The Hindu, Kumaraswamy, over the loan waiver, was quoted as saying," The people of Karnataka have not given me the numbers to take the decisions on my own. But, this (farm loan waiver) is my solemn promise, and I will deliver it, let no one have any doubt. I will leave politics if I renege on that, I am so sensitive on the issue. I did say I would do it within 24 hours of being elected, but I’m in a coalition. I have to work out the modalities in conjunction with the Congress."

Meanwhile, the Karnataka's newly-appointed CM met Congress top brasses  earlier on Monday to decide on the power-sharing agreement between both the party representatives. He met the Leader of the Opposition(LoP) in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge in the morning.

Sources also added that Kumaraswamy met PM Narendra Modi over coal allocation to Raichur, Yeramarsu and Bellary thermal plants in the State on an urgent basis, as their coal reserves were running low. During the meet, PM Modi advised him to constitute his council of ministers earliest. PM Modi also applauded new CM and ensured him that the centre (the Modi-led BJP government) would fully support the state. Sources characterised the meeting of CM Kumaraswamy with PM Modi as a 'courtesy call'.

Besides that, the Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi is out of India and has accompanied his mother and UPA Chief Sonia Gandhi to the United States for her annual medical check-up. Therefore, Siddaramaiah, former CM of Karnataka said that the final decision on allocation of the portfolios would be discussed once Rahul returns to India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2018 11:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).