Bengaluru: To win the Chairman and Deputy Chairman posts in the Council, the ruling Congress has to wait for the results of elections to the Graduates and Teachers Constituencies which will be declared on Monday.
With the victory of four of its candidates in the Council polls, the Congress strength in the Council has increased from 27 to 31, but it still can’t win the two key posts. At present, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman’s posts are held by the BJP’s D.H. Shankaramurthy and the JD(S)’ Maritibbe Gowda respectively.
This has often left the Congress embarrassed when it seeks the passage of vital bills and legislation.
In the 75 member Upper House, the BJP’s strength has been reduced from 26 to 23 following the polls. If the chairman is included, the BJP’s strength goes up to 24.
The JD(S) has 11 MLCs in the Council and the, strength of the combined opposition is 35. If the Congress fills the three nominated member vacancies with its supporters, its strength will go up to 34. And if the party wins three seats in the Teachers and Graduates constituencies elections, its strength will further go up and it can hope to win both the Chairman and Deputy Chairman posts.
With the help of three Independent MLCs, the Congress strength in the Upper House can go up to 34. At the same time, the BJP-JD(S) combine still has 35 seats and with the help of two Independent MLCs, its strength can go up to 37 posing a tough challenge to the Congress if it is keen on top posts in the Upper House.
