Battle for BBMP mayor is still on, says BJP

Bengaluru: With 101 elected members, the state unit of BJP has decided to field a candidate for Mayoral polls scheduled for Friday as part of its strategy to expose the “unholy” alliance forged by the ruling Congress and JD(S) to seize power in BBMP.

Sources in the party said leaders have decided to put up a tough fight in BBMP with former deputy CM R. Ashok reportedly convincing the state leadership about the need to contest the polls. In fact, some of the newly elected members are ready to contest but those backed by Mr Ashok could be chosen as the party’s nominees, the sources added.

Sources said the names of Padmanabhanagar ward corporator L. Srinivas and Pattabhiramanagar ward corporator Nagarathna Ramamurthy are doing rounds for posts of Mayor and deputy Mayor respectively. Both are die-hard supporters of Mr. Ashok.

Sources confirmed that the state leadership has given a green signal to the city unit to field a candidate for Mayoral elections. The strategy for the elections would be discussed at a meeting of newly elected corporators on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a section of city unit leaders have expressed their displeasure about the decision by BJP leaders to protest against Congress again. Since the party has already held a protest, why should another protest be organized on same issue, they asked.

Leaders of BJP had not only held protests but also submitted a petition to Governor Vajubhai Vala, urging him not to allow MLCs who have registered as voters in their home towns to vote in the mayoral elections.