BENGALURU: A majority of JD (S) members of BBMP favoured an extension of the power-sharing pact with the ruling Congress in order to share power in Bengaluru city, but decided to leave the final decision to patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda and his son and state unit president H.D. Kumaraswamy on the alliance issue.
Following an invitation from Mr Gowda, 14 JD (S) corporation councillors’ met at the leader’s residence in the presence of Mr G.T. Deve Gowda, MLA, Mr T. Sharavana, MLC, and national general secretary, Jafrulla Khan. While a few favoured an alliance with the BJP, a majority backed the idea of continuing their alliance with Congress, according to sources in the party.
Some of them complained that the Congress discriminated between their party members and JD (S) members while releasing funds. “Congress MLA Mr Munirathna had troubled many corporation councillors by scuttling their proposals. They (Congress) have extended little cooperation to us. So we should think twice before going with the Congress,” remarked on leader.
Later, Mr Gowda told the media that he took note of the feedback from these corporation councillors. “I got an update about how our members were treated. Last time, only two committees, of the 12, were given to us. We are pained. Last time, we gave the Mayor post to them. Many of our members asked a valid question: why should we not ask for the Mayor’s post this time? Minister Ramalinga Reddy is in touch with us. Mr Kumaraswamy is also holding talks with leaders of the BJP. I will take a call after discussing the issue with Mr Kumaraswamy,” Mr Gowda added.
