Karnataka alliance only as far as govt, says JD(S)

Prakash said ‘‘in the ensuing local body or zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat elections, the JD(S) will have no electoral understanding with the Congress and both parties will field candidates on their own’’.

If this is how things turn out, the Congress and JD(S) would be friends in government, but foes at the ballot box. This arrangement, said Prakash, was in deference to the fractured mandate given by the electorate. Asked if he would be one of the two deputy chief ministers, Prakash said such reports were mere ‘‘speculation since no decision has been taken’’.

He did, however, say the new Chief Minister and his Cabinet may be sworn in on Friday evening or Saturday. While the Congress and JD(S) have broadly agreed that representation in the Cabinet will be 50:50, the division of portfolios between the two parties is being hammered out, Prakash said.

Congress Legislature Party leader Dharam Singh, who’s tipped to be the chief minister, and JD(S) chief H.D. Deve Gowda are holding meetings to sort out details, including the chairmanships of various boards and corporations, said Prakash. Gowda could not meet Singh on Wednesday night as the latter, who arrived here late in the evening, went straight to 10 Janpath to meet Sonia Gandhi, he added.