Monday, January 30 2006 18:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Contrary to expectations that the new Janata Dal (JD) Secular (S) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition would form a full-fledged ministry, it has now been decided that H D Kumaraswamy will take oath as Chief Minister and B S Yediyurappa of BJP as Deputy Chief Minister on Friday, sources in both parties said today (Jan 30,2006).

The sources told sources that it has been decided to expand the ministry after the government proves it majority, with the floor test expected on February 10.

The new government soon after assuming office would call a cabinet meeting and decide to request the Speaker to convene the legislature session, which was adjourned sine die on January 27, to comply with the directive of Governor T N Chaturvedi to Kumaraswamy to prove majority within eight days of assuming office, sources said.

The ministry might be expanded any day after February 12, they indicated.

BJP had indicated earlier that the new dispensation would opt for installing a full fledged ministry on February three and take up appointment of new heads to boards and corporations, an exercise which the previous government could not complete leading to heartburn between the coalition partners.

However, political circles felt that JDS and BJP have decided to buy more time for constituting the ministry cautiously so as to avoid discontent in the initial stages itself among those aspirants who may have to be denied ministerial berths.

Kumaraswamy was invited to form the Government on Saturday last after Dharam Singh resigned as Chief Minister when the Governor declined his request to give him more time to demonstrate his majority after the January 27 deadline.