Bangalore: Karnataka coalition partners Congress and Janata Dal Secular on Friday finalised the portfolios of 27 ministers.
Ending days of uncertainty over the allocation of portfolios, the final list was approved by governor Vajubhai Vala in the evening.
As expected, chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy got finance and the intelligence wing of the home department, besides several portfolios such as information. Surprisingly,
Kumaraswamy decided to keep the energy portfolio with himself. There had been speculation that the department could be given to his elder brother H.D. Revanna. Revanna was given charge of public works.
Former energy minister D.K. Shivakumar got charge of medical education and health and family welfare, besides major and medium irrigation.
Deputy chief minister G. Parameshwara was handed the home portfolio, which was earlier held by Ramalinga Reddy. Reddy is said to be miffed with the Congress leadership for being passed over while the cabinet was formed. He was given added responsibility of youth affairs, sports and all departments that manage Bangalore.
The lone woman minister, former actress Jayamala, was given charge of women and child development. R.V. Deshpande, who held industries in the previous P.C. Siddaramaiah government, will be the minister for revenue and skill development.
Siddaramaiah's trusted lieutenant K.J. George has been given large and medium industries besides the high-profile information technology, biotechnology and science and technology, which Priyank Kharge had handled with aplomb in the previous government. Priyank was made the social welfare minister.
Zameer Ahmed Khan, who left the JDS a few years ago to join the Congress, was given charge of food and civil supplies and minority welfare.
The state's first minister from the BSP, which had a pre-poll alliance with the JDS, N. Mahesh, was made the primary and secondary education minister.
The JDS got some key portfolios. Sa Ra Mahesh was handed the tourism department. He will also look after sericulture.
G.T. Deve Gowda, who trounced Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari, was given higher education.
