Bengaluru: They have the choice of going either with the BJP or Congress but most JD (S) legislators favour an alliance with the ruling Congress to come to power in zilla panchayats where voters have given a fractured mandate.
Of the total 30 ZPs, eleven have thrown up a hung verdict with no clear mandate for any single party. A few hours after the announcement of results, KPCC President and Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah came out with an alliance proposal with the JD(S). Of the 11 ZPs, Congress can bargain with independents in two zilla panchayats-Belagavi and Dharwad but they need the support of JD(S) in nine ZPs.
While former PM and JD(S) National President H.D. Deve Gowda is in Delhi to attend the parliament session, former CM and State JD(S) president has been avoiding the media citing a 'sore throat'. Nor was he available to take calls on his mobile.
Meanwhile, Chamarajapet JD(S) MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan told Deccan Chronicle that his party leaders must accept the alliance proposal from the Congress as it is 'inevitable' for both parties. There are only two options before JD(S)-to extend unconditional support to Congress in hung ZPs' or remain neutral. If they remain neutral, the Election Commission will have to hold fresh elections to these ZPs. No party is ready for another election.
Another JD(S) MLA felt hobnobbing with Congress, will have an impact on the party in 2018 Assembly polls as the ruling party has the habit of using their support and dumping them at their convenience. The JD(S) should extend support only if the Congress offer them the post of president in 4-5 ZPs, he said.
BJP to district bosses: You decide
With no party getting a clear majority in 11 of the 30 Zilla Panchayats and 36 Taluk Panchayats, the state BJP has empowered party district presidents and office bearers to take a decision on striking an alliance at the local level.
Out of 11 ZPs the party can comfortably come to power in 7 to 8 ZPs with the help of JD(S), but the state leadership has categorically stated that it will not force the local BJP unit into an alliance and will ask the district presidents to take a decision. But the party’s natural choice of a partner is JD(S) to seize power in the ZPs.
In 2011, after a hung verdict, JD(S) and BJP joined hands to grab power in Mysuru ZP. The same situation prevails there now with no party getting a clear majority. It’s the same situation in Tumakuru, Vijayapura, Raichur, Shivamogga, Bengaluru Urban, Bagalkote, Kolar and Dharwad where BJP has to go with either Independents or JD(S) to get power.
During discussions with national president Amit Shah on Tuesday, he suggested that state leaders obtain a feedback from district presidents before entering into a tie-up with JD(S).
After getting reports from district presidents, the state leadership will give the green signal to them to go with with either JD(S) or Independents. In places like Shivamogga, Dharwad and Bagalkot where the shortfall is just 1-2 seats, the BJP may not need support of JD(S) to attain power, it can do it with Independents. However it need the support of JD(S) in the remaining Zilla Panchayats. The leadership is keen on getting support of JD(S) in Bengaluru Urban, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Raichur and Vijaypura.
