HDK, 2 BJP MPs from state likely to join Modi cabinet

Bengaluru: JD(S) state president and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy is expected to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet Sunday when the latter will be sworn in for the third consecutive term.
“In addition to Kumaraswamy, a few MPs from BJP will take oath Sunday,” said JD(S) MLC TA Sharavana, who is currently in Delhi with several other legislators of the party.
BJP and JD(S) contested the recent Lok Sabha elections as allies in the state, securing 17 and 2 seats respectively, limiting Congress to 9 constituencies. As BJP was unable to achieve a majority independently, it has allocated some cabinet positions to its partners.
According to sources, an NDA meeting Thursday devised a formula to allocate one cabinet berth for every five seats won by allies. Those with less than five seats will be appointed as ministers of state. Although JD(S) secured only two seats, BJP has decided to grant Kumaraswamy a cabinet berth due to his stature as a former CM.
There is no clear indication yet as to which BJP MPs from Karnataka will be inducted into the Union cabinet. However, party sources suggest that former Union minister Prahlad Joshi, and either of former CMs Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, are likely to take oath. If not, they are expected to be inducted subsequently. Former deputy chief minister Govind Karjol’s name is also in contention under the Dalit quota.
CN Manjunath, brother-in-law of Kumaraswamy, who defeated deputy CM DK Shivakumar’s brother DK Suresh in Bengaluru Rural, is also aspiring for a position in the Modi cabinet.