Bengaluru: Congress, JD(S) renew ties to retain red gown

Last year, the Congress won the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Council despite a poor showing in the overall Corporation elections thanks to the support of JD(S) corporators and Independents.

 

Though the BJP secured 100 seats in the 2015 BBMP ward elections, as per the rules, Council membership is claimed by a host of others as well (See box). 

 

Thanks to that rule, the Congress teamed up with the JD(S) and Independents to form the Council. 

 

The Congress-JD(S) alliance also used their majority to win the mayor and deputy mayor's posts. However, that majority is precarious, as it depends on a few Independents, who may be susceptible to horse trading. 

 

So to keep the coalition running smoothly with no surprises, the Congress has decided to lay its cards on the table at an early stage itself. 

 

 

On Tuesday, city mayor BN Manjunath Reddy (Congress) visited JD(S) Supremo HD Deve Gowda to seek his approval for continuing the coalition. 

 

"Deve Gowda has extended his support. We are sure we can deliver results in the BBMP. We have solved the garbage issue to a large extent. We want to make the palike a revenue-generating institution, rather than a corrupt liability," Reddy said.

                                                 

Congress Leader RS Sathyanarayana, who also accompanied the Mayor during the visit said, "Congress is contemplating naming Padmavathi G, who is a four-time winner in corporation elections, as its mayoral candidate. We will offer the deputy mayor post to Corporator M Anand (Radha Krishna Temple Ward)."

 

"The seats of the seven Independent candidates, who were made chairpersons to the various standing committees, may also have to be swapped," said Sathyanarayana.                                   

"The Congress has 76 Corporators, 13 MLAs, 14 MLCs and eight Rajya Sabha members. Thanks to the JD(S) members and with Independent support the Congress is hoping to get another 27 members. With these we would reach the required 140 mark to choose a Mayor," Sathyanarayana added.    

 

TA Sharavana, JD(S) Member of Legislative Council (MLC), said, "The BJP has already made it clear that they do not want to go with the JD(S). Since the Congress leaders have come with good intentions, we will share our views with HDK and wait for his response,"