Power, posts and command; Gowda wanted it all

New Delhi: JD(S) President HD Deve Gowda says his party cannot support the BJP as they have refused to sign the 12-point memorandum of understanding.

"Whether you call it conditions or points, he (Yeddyurappa) does not want to sign. He has asked the state president to sign, at the same time the JD(S) president to sign. The question of induction of ministers or selection of portfolio is not done by the state president, it is done by the CM. This is why party took the decision to oppose the motion to be put in by Yeddyurappa on the floor of the House," Deve Gowda says.

BJP President Rajnath Singh says it can't sign such an 'arbitrary' MoU/ "We will not surrender before JD(S). They have betrayed us," Rajnath Singh said on Monday.

What are these 12 conditions, why have they become a matter of contention for formation of the government? Why had the BJP found these conditions unacceptable?

For a first, one of the conditions specifies that the BJP-JD(S) alliance is going to continue only till the Lok Sabha elections. Gowda also wants an assurance from the BJP that it government will protect the minorities in the state.

The JD(S) wanted some plum portfolios like Mining, Urban Development, Power and Public Works in the Yeddyurappa Ministry.

Over and above of all this, Gowda also wanted his son and former chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy to have a greater say in the running of the government, which means the BJP government cannot take any major decision without consulting the JD(S).