Two-member BJP-JDS coalition ministry to be sworn-in Monday

A two-member BJP-JDS coalition Ministry will assume office in Karnataka on Monday with B S Yeddyurappa as the saffron party's first ever Chief Minister in the South.

A two-member BJP-JDS coalition Ministry will assume office in Karnataka on Monday with B S Yeddyurappa as the saffron party’s first ever Chief Minister in the South.

Besides Yeddyurappa, a nominee chosen by the JDS will take oath as Deputy Chief Minister, sources in BJP said.

Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has emerged as the front-runner for the deputy chief ministership and a final decision is expected to be taken by the JDS Legislature party meet to be held on Sunday.

However, names of H D Revanna, the elder brother of Kumaraswamy, and state unit JDS President Merajuddin Patel were also doing the rounds for the post.

After assuming charge, Yeddyurappa in consultation with JDS leaders will expand his ministry, an exercise that will get under way only after the combine proves its majority on the floor of the assembly.

Governor Rameshwar Thakur, who on Friday invited Yeddyurappa to form the government, is likely to indicate a date for the floor test either on Sunday or soon after Yeddyurappa takes the oath.

Cream of BJP national leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha L K Advani, party President Rajnath Singh, M Venkaiah Naidu, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, will arrive on Monday to witness the swearing-in ceremony scheduled at 12 noon.