Changed reservation matrix may help JD(S)

BENGALURU: With the state government asked to conduct BBMP polls within three months by the Supreme Court, JD(S), which has minimal presence in Bengaluru, plans to make the most of the anti-incumbency factor against both the BJP and the Congress in the forthcoming elections.   

While the BJP, which was in majority in BBMP during the last five years, was mired in one controversy or the other, the Congress, which voted to power in Karnataka two years ago, did precious little to improve  infrastructure in the city, says state JD (S) president H D Kumaraswamy. “During the last five years, BJP has looted BBMP. The Congress, which came to power two years ago, did not try to improve conditions in the city. Instead, it tried to divide the city into three. We have good prospects, but have to work hard,” he added.

While Mr Kumaraswamy plans to focus on larger issues, three legislators of his party from Bengaluru- Mr B Z Zameer Ahamed Khan, Mr Gopalaiah and Mr Akhanda Srinivasmurthy- said the party would be able to put up a good fight.

In BBMP, which was superceded by the state government last month, the party had a strength of 17, including three independents who joined JD (S).

“The situation is somewhat different from BBMP elections held last time when the BJP was in power in the state, and there was huge a BJP wave. This time, the Congress is in power, but has failed to make any impact on the city. The BJP has lost much credibility when it comes to BBMP,” said Mr Srinivasmurthy.

The other factor critical factor would be change in reservation matrix. “The government seems to have a hidden agenda in it, but looks like it backfired on the Congress. This has improved our party’s prospects,” a leader of the city unit of JD (S), said.

Though a Vokkaliga-dominated party, JD(S) plans to secure the support of voters of minority communities as well. The leaders have identified several areas—Yalahanka, Hebbal, Yeshwanthpur, Mahalakshmi layout, Vijayanagar, Govindarajnagar, Rajarajeshwarinagar, parts of JP Nagar, Uttarahalli, Sarvajna Nagar, and Pulikeshinagar—as the party’s strongholds..

“All we have to do is concentrate only on our strong candidates. In certain pockets, our voting share will be less. We may have to let them go. If there is delimitation of wards, it is still better for us. That will also alter the equations to a great extent. Our success depends on how we work during the last one month before polls. If we falter, we are finished,” the leader added.