BBMP Mayor post: CM Siddaramaiah, Roshan, Reddy flex their muscles

Bengaluru: With the emergence of a new power bloc in the Congress party city unit involving Bairathi Basvaraju, Muniratna Naidu and Yeshwanthpur MLA S.T. Somashekar, the selection of the BBMP mayoral candidate is likely to be influenced by the new group rather than existing groups like the one led by transport minister and Bengaluru strongman Ramalinga Reddy.

Since all these MLAs are close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the chief minister too is likely to give in to the suggestions of these MLAs. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader in the CM's camp observed that the Siddaramaiah's camp is carrying out this operation methodically from day one and Mr Basavaraju who has been a key associate of Mr Siddaramaiah has been heading this operation.

"Mr Basavaraju will emerge as a key player in the entire selection process for the mayoral polls," the source contended. Even though political heavyweights like transport minister, R. Ramalinga Reddy, Energy minister, D.K. Shivakumar and Infrastructure minister R. Roshan Baig are flexing their muscles to push their candidates for the mayor’s post, it is widely expected that the Siddaramaiah camp will have the final say in selecting the city's mayor.

As a result of this change in power equations in the Congress camp, three-time corporator, M. Shivaraju is ahead of all other contenders in the mayoral election that is scheduled for Friday. Other contenders this time are B.N. Manjunath Reddy who is reportedly backed by Mr Ramalinga Reddy and M.K. Gunashekar who is backed by Mr Roshan Baig.

Energy minister D.K. Shivakumar is throwing his weight behind G. Padmavathi while Rajarajeshwari Nagar MLA Muniratna Naidu is batting for R. S. Satyanarayana. Another three-time Congress corporator, A. R. Zakir too has thrown his hat in the ring but he seems to be fighting a lone battle, said sources with so many heavyweights backing their nominees in the poll.

JD(S) may field Muslim leader for deputy mayor

The Janata Dal (S) top brass is likely to give a free hand to K. Gopalaiah and Zameer Ahmed Khan to select a candidate for the deputy mayor post. Sources in the party said that since these two leaders were involved in stitching together the JD (S)-Congress alliance for the mayoral poll, they would be given the power to choose the candidate for deputy mayor.

Sources also said that the party is likely to select a Muslim candidate for the post in an effort to send a strong message to the community that the party is pitching for themy. Party supremo, H.D. Deve Gowda too made it clear that the BBMP poll results offered a big lesson for the party which would try to woo AHINDA votes.

Kharge to head Bihar screening panel?

Senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to be made head of the Congress Screening Committee to help finalise tickets in poll-bound Bihar. Party sources said Mr Kharge, who is the leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, is likely to be given the responsibility.

Congress will be contesting 4O of the total 243 seats as part of the grand 'secular' alliance comprising the ruling JD-U and RJD besides it. The party is a marginalised force in the state for more than 25 years in the wake of the Mandal-Mandir surge.