Bengaluru: The Congress has reportedly finalised a gameplan with many exit polls predicting a hung assembly. As per the plan, incumbent CM Siddaramaiah, whose ties with the JD(S) have not been too good, will make way for another leader Mallikarjun Kharge, even as other chief ministerial aspirants such as KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar have announced their availability while other ministers D.K. Shivakumar, Ramalinga Reddy or R.V. Deshpande have also thrown their hat in the ring. Speculation is rife that under this deal, JD (S) leader H.D. Kumarawamy could come in as the deputy, and be unable to walk out of the coalition government half-way as he did when he partnered with the BJP-led B.S. Yeddyurappa as he cannot risk antagonizing the Dalits.
The alternative being worked out if the JD(S) does a repeat of 1994 and wins big, but is unable to reach the half-way mark is the Congress extending support to the JD(S) and KPCC president, Dr G. Parameshwar becoming deputy chief minister with Kumaraswamy taking over the top post.
Sources said the deal had been in the works after the two party leader met recently.
