Bengaluru: Speculations over the alliance between the Congress and the JD(S) to capture power in the BBMP has finally come to an end. The deal was sealed on Sunday during a meeting between JD(S) state president H.D. Kumaraswamy and KPCC president G. Parameshwar.
The JD(S) which was keen on snapping all ties with the Congress, decided to continue the alliance for one more year during the meeting which was held in Bengaluru on Sunday evening. Bengaluru in-charge minister Ramalinga Reddy and party working president Dinesh Gundurao were also part of it.
Earlier, upset with few Congress leaders, JD(S) state president H.D. Kumaraswamy, had opened dialogue with BJP leaders for the mayoral election. He was also upset with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for supporting JD(S) rebels, including Cheluvarayaswamy and Zameer Ahamed Khan. Hence, the Congress decided to depute Dr Parameshwar to hold a meeting with JD(S) leaders, as he maintains a good rapport with the Gowda family.
During the meeting, Kumaraswamy expressed his displeasure over Rajarajeshwarinagar MLA Munirathna, for his interference in the work of corporators. However, he loosened his stand and said that his party will go with anyone supporting the JD(S) for the mayor’s post. HDK has also asked the Congress leaders to consult JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda before announcing senior member G. Padmavathi as the mayoral candidate.
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.
