Decision only after HD Kumaraswamy returns: HD Deve Gowda to R Ramalinga Reddy

Bengaluru: A day after JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda issued a veiled threat on continuing his party’s alliance with the Congress in the BBMP, Transport Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy met Mr Gowda on Saturday and appealed to him to continue with the relationship.

Mr Reddy told DC, “I would like to describe our meeting as just cordial. During the interaction, we also happened to discuss the continuing alliance with the JD(S).”

Mr Gowda maintained that the party will not take any decision until his son H.D. Kumaraswamy returned.

"Forming an alliance with either the BJP or Congress, or remaining neutral will be decided only after Mr Kumaraswamy's return,” Mr Reddy said quoting Mr Gowda.

Meanwhile, a Congress source said the party has evolved a multi-pronged strategy to counter any eventuality arising out of the JD(S) walking out of the alliance.

“Our party has decided to expedite the process of nominating three members to the Council to increase its numerical strength, as MPs and MLAs from Bengaluru and MLCs staying in the city have the voting power in the mayoral polls. The other strategy is to ensure the absence of leaders from other parties on the day of the election. Third is to increase our party’s electorate by furnishing a change of address of few Council members. Fourth is to try and trigger defection in the JD(S) ranks and their supporters,” the source said.

The source said that of the 14 JD(S) corporators, only seven are willing to continue their support to the Congress. These corporators are the followers of rebel JD(S) MLAs B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan (Chamarajpet), Akhanda Srinivasmurthy (Pulakeshinagar) and K. Gopalaiah (Mahalakshmi Layout).