Will remain neutral in BBMP: HD Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: Even as the Congress and BJP made a desperate bid to get the support of Janata Dal (Secular) to grab power in the BBMP Council, former chief minister and state JD(S) president  H.D. Kumaraswamy categorically stated that he did not want to support any national party and would remain 'neutral' in the Palike affairs.

Mr Kumaraswamy, who was at a resort in Chikkamagaluru, told Deccan Chronicle that some legislators and newly-elected corporators were pressuring him to support the Congress for the development of their respective wards.

But, he said, he does not have any love lost for either the BJP or the Congress as they had caused irreparable damage to Bengaluru. “There is no meaning in hobnobbing with the Congress for some months and supporting the BJP subsequently, as both parties have no vision for Bengaluru,” he said.

He claimed that leaders from both the parties were in constant touch with the JD(S) as he holds the key to the mayor’s post in the BBMP. “Both the national parties are looking for only short-term gains. I am against the manner in which things have unfolded in the last two days and I am totally disgusted,” he said.

He pointed out that the Congress high command still has not given the green signal to the state leaders to forge an alliance with the JD(S) as many original Congress leaders were against it.

“There are differences within the Congress over seeking support from the JD(S). I don’t know the Congress high command’s stand on the alliance. But the JD(S) does not want to become a laughing stock in front of the people. National JD(S) president H.D. Deve Gowda is seized of the matter and he will take a decision on whether to support the Congress or the BJP or to remain neutral. I am out of Bengaluru to remain away from all these developments,” he said.

Asked about his party MLA from Chamarajpet Zameer Ahmed Khan’s statement that the JD(S) would not support the BJP, Mr Kumaraswamy said Mr Khan was “immature” and was making statements without knowing their consequences.

As of now, the JD(S) has not taken any decision to support the BJP or the Congress. "I will return to Bengaluru on Monday to take stock of the situation. In all probability, our party is likely to remain neutral in BBMP affairs,” he said.

JD(S) support a must for BJP, Congress

Sources told DC that the support of JD(S) was a must for either the BJP or the Congress to assume power in the Palike. Knowing this, the JD(S) leaders were reportedly demanding posts of chairmen of various standing committees to support the BJP. Mr. Kumaraswamy, who is said to be relaxing in a resort in Chikkamagaluru, has left Chamarajapet MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan to continue the dialogue process.

Mr Zameer, who till recently had an unpleasant relationship with Mr Kumaraswamy, seems to be calling the shots by holding meetings with party legislators to work out a strategy.  Mr Gopalaiah, Mr Akhanda Srinivasamurthy and Mr T.A. Saravana attended the meetings. They learnt to have discussed about a strategy to remain in limelight despite failing to impress the voters of Bengaluru. The BJP, which emerged as the single largest party by securing 100 seats, is now at the mercy of JD(S) to assume power in the Palike.

Developments

On Thursday night, JD(S) MLC Mallikarjuna held a meeting with Mr Ashok and promised to convince the party leaders to support the BJP. This prompted the BJP to convene a core committee meeting to discuss the issue. BJP legislators V. Somanna, Arvind Limbavali and Ashwathnarayanagowda were holding discussions to get the support of  JD(S).

Confusion

Sources said that JD(S) leaders created confusion by meeting leaders of the Congress and the BJP. They were trying to create the impression that their support was vital for both the parties. JD(S) cannot go with the Congress since it needs BJP’s support in the coming days. Recently, the BJP supported JD(S) in the election to the post of deputy chairman in the Legislative Council. The BJP was in majority in the Council till December as elections were due for 25 MLC posts.

JD(S) assumes kingmaker's role

The Janata Dal (Secular), which had bagged 14 seats in the 198-member BBMP Council, is said to be in a bargaining mood. Many developments unfolded on Saturday with Union Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda meeting JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and seeking his party’s support for the BJP to assume control of the BBMP.

Mr Gowda, according to sources, told the senior BJP leader that he would announce his party’s stand by September 2, after consulting the newly-elected corporators and legislators. Meanwhile, Mr. Deve Gowda expressed displeasure over the reported statements of BJP leaders against him and his son, H.D. Kumaraswamy on Kalasa-Banduri Nala drinking water project. Particularly, Mr. Deve Gowda was upset with the statement of the former deputy chief minister R. Ashok of finishing off the JD(S) in the coming days.

After the meeting, Mr. Sadananda Gowda told reporters that Mr. Deve Gowda had promised to declare his party’s stand by September 2. He expressed confidence of getting the JD(S) support to prevent the Congress from taking control of the BBMP Council.

Mr. Gopalaiah, JD(S) MLA, told reporters that his party would take a stand on supporting the BJP or the Congress on September 2. The JD(S) would take a conscious decision in the interests of the development of Bengaluru city, Mr. Gopalaiah said.

Corporators in Kochi

All 14 JD(S) corporators were shifted to a resort in Kochi in Kerala Friday evening. Mr Zameer booked the flight tickets. A few JD(S) leaders have also gone with them. These corporators would be brought back on the day of mayoral election.