Bengaluru: The annual mayoral election of the Bengaluru city is taking a new twist with Congress MP from Bengaluru Rural D.K. Suresh asserting that the mayor post should be given to one of the councillors whom he suggested.
Talking to reporters at his residence in Sadashivanagar, Mr Suresh made no bones about his anger over the party ignoring him in the selection of the mayoral candidate.
“They have forgotten me. Many wards in the city fall in my Lok Sabha constituency. So, naturally, even I should have a say in the process. So, they should have invited me for the meeting held at KPCC office to select mayor candidate. Even if you describe this a rebel press meet, so be it,” Mr Suresh said.
He went onto say that leaders who remained dignified and decent were taken for granted. Those who speak loudly would draw the attention, he felt.
The JD (S), which is a partner of the Congress in the BBMP, has been demanding mayor post. However, the Congress party is in no mood to give up the post.
Mr Suresh further said that wards on the outskirts need to be focused and developed.
To achieve this, a candidate from the wards on the outskirts should be given the mayor post, he added.
“Velu Nayak and Anjanappa represent wards which fall in my constituency. Both belong to SC community. So, one of them could be made the mayor,” Mr Suresh said adding that he would recommend the same to Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister.
“If the party wants to talk to JD (S) leaders in this regard, I would take a lead,” he added.
Rajarajeshwari Nagar MLA, Munirathna, who was present on the occasion, endorsed the views of Mr Suresh and said, “Mr Suresh made a fair and just demand and I support his views.”
