The Janata Dal (S) has hit upon a unique and unexpected strategy for continuing Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy in power after transferring power to his Deputy Yediyurappa on Oct. 3 as per their original agreement.

When it becomes inevitable to handover Chief Minister's mantle to the Deputy Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa, Kumaraswamy may take over the post of Deputy Chief Minister, it is learnt.

According to speculations doing rounds since yesterday, after JD (S) supremo H. D. Deve Gowda met the Governor, the party has worked out a strategy to continue Kumaraswamy in power but in a secondary role. The crucial meeting of JD (S) LP being held this evening i. e. Septemer 18th 2007 mainly discussed this issue.

According to convention in political parties no Minister can become the leader of the Legislature Party except the Chief Minister or the Deputy Chief Minister. Hence under this strategy Kumaraswamy will continue to be the leader of the JD (S) Legislature Party.

For this reason the JD (S) has tentatively decided to continue Kumaraswamy in the Government as Deputy Chief Minister so that he continues to have control over the Government and also the Legislature Party.

A Chief Minister accepting a junior role in the Government is not new to Indian politics. In our neighboring State Tamil Nadu, the PWD Minister Panneer Selvan had taken over as Chief Minister when Jayalalitha had to step down following a court case. She, however, resumed the post after she was cleared sending Panneer Selvan to his original post as a cabinet minister.

In Maharashtra also Bhujbal, who was the Deputy Chief Minister, had to accept a Minister's post in the next cabinet.

The JD (S) feels it unwise to make some other person other than Kumaraswamy as the JD (S) LP leader and elevate him to the Deputy Chief Minister's post. The party is aware of the Chief Minister's popular image, which he has built with village stays and down – to - earth approach.

The sources in JD (S) have also indicated that Kumaraswamy is reluctant to accept the post of Deputy Chief Minister. The sole aim of today's (September 18th, 2007) JD (S) LP meeting is to convince him.

Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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