BJP, JD-S to sign MoU in Karnataka

The concept of signing a Memorandum of Understanding, outlining guidelines to share power and for smooth running of a government, will soon be adopted by coalition partners the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal-Secular in Karnataka.

The formal signing of the MoU, mooted by the JD-S to checkmate the BJP, will in all probability take place on November 18, a day ahead of the trust vote Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa faces in the assembly.

The JD-S, which unilaterally declared its support to the BJP-led coalition government, has dictated the 12-point MoU, the author of which is the party chief H D Deve Gowda. The JD-S believed that the BJP would agree to its conditions before the new combine assumed office, but the BJP did not show the hurry displayed by its partner, which sparked frictions between them.

A clause in the MoU has already been implemented with Yeddyurappa being sworn-in as the chief minister and another concerning appointment of a deputy chief minister will see the light of day on November 21 when the JD-S ministers join the ministry.

The JD-S wanted the BJP to accept its nominee for the post of deputy chief minister, to which it has a rightful claim being the coalition partner. When the combine ruled the state for 20 months, the JD-S enjoyed the post of chief minister and the saffron party the post of deputy chief minister.

In the natural course, the same arrangement should prevail when roles change for the partners with BJP leading the dispensation.