Bengaluru: If JD(S) president H D Kumaraswamy’s criticism against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is any indication, the tie-up of Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) council could be under strain.
Alleging the Congress of looting money in the civic body, Kumaraswamy indicated that his party would review its alliance with the Congress in the council. “Thousands of crores in the BBMP is being looted. No development works have been taken up. There are no powers for chairpersons of the standing committees. All powers are concentrated in the hands of Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George,” he told reporters.
“Should we still support them (Congress)?” he asked.
Kumaraswamy’s statement assumes importance in the light of impending elections to the post of the Mayor. Incidentally, the third Mayor in this council is set to be elected in the second week of September as the incumbent, G. Padmavathi, would complete her one-year tenure.
The Congress has 76 members in the 198-member council and has the support of JD(S) (14 members) and eight Independents. While the BJP has 100 members, the alliance outnumbers the largest party since members of Parliament, Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council belonging to the city have voting power in the mayoral election. Those MLCs and Rajya Sabha members from the State who are registered voters from the city also have a right to vote in the mayoral election.
