Bengaluru: At last, the suspense over the alliance to capture power in the BBMP has come to an end with the JD(S), which was contemplating snapping its ties with Congress, has decided to continue the partnership for one more year.
The deal was sealed on Sunday evening during a meeting between JD(S) state president H.D. Kumaraswamy and KPCC president G. Parameshwar. Bengaluru in-charge minister Ramalinga Reddy and party working president Dinesh Gundurao were also part of the meeting. Mr Kumaraswamy, who was upset with some of the Congress leaders, had opened dialogue with BJP leaders for the mayoral election.
He was upset with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for supporting JD(S) rebels, including Mr Cheluvarayaswamy and Mr Zameer Ahamed Khan. This had forced the Congress leadership to depute Dr Parameshwar to negotiate with JD(S) leaders, as he maintains a good rapport with the Gowda family. During the meeting, Mr Kumaraswamy expressed his displeasure over Rajarajeshwarinagar MLA Munirathna, who interferes with the working of corporators. While loosening his stand that his party will go with anyone supporting the JD(S) for the mayor’s post, Mr Kumaraswamy asked Congress leaders to consult JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda before announcing senior member Ms G. Padmavathi as the mayoral candidate. Ms Padmavathi is identified with the Gowda family’s archrival and Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The mayoral poll is scheduled for September 28. As per the agreement, the mayor’s post will go to Congress, while the deputy mayor’s to the JD(S). The parties will get the chairman’s posts of six standing committees each at the BBMP, sources said.
