BBMP power struggle: Siddaramaiah’s men are bridge to HD Deve Gowda

Bengaluru: Just hours after Janata Dal (S) supremo H. D. Deve Gowda announced his decision to support an alliance between his party and the Congress for the BBMP mayoral polls, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah handpicked his loyalists - PWD minister Dr H.C. Mahadevappa and former Union minister, C.M. Ibrahim to do the spade work for finalising the alliance.

Both Dr Mahadevappa and Mr Ibrahim were in JD(S) before they broke off along with Mr Siddaramaiah to join Congress about 10 years ago. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader in the CM’s camp said, “Mr Siddaramaiah was a worried man on Monday, until he had a discussion with H.D. Revanna (Deve Gowda’s son) with whom he shares a good rapport.” Mr Revanna seems to have clinched the deal in favour of Mr Siddaramaiah by convincing his younger brother H.D. Kumaraswamy and  father, Deve Gowda.

“As a result of his efforts, Mr Deve Gowda issued a statement that helped end the stalemate,” the source added. Dr Mahadevappa who was criticised for having a soft corner for the Gowda family, is Hassan district in-charge minister and is in the good books of Mr Revanna.  “Mr Siddaramaiah feels that the three-Mr Revanna, Dr Mahadevappa and Mr Ibrahim- can initiate a dialogue with Mr Kumaraswamy to add final touches to the deal. This will also help Mr Siddaramaiah avoid meeting Mr Gowda after splitting with his mentor a decade ago,” the source said.

The source claimed that Mr Siddaramaiah is wary of involving leaders like  KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar in the high-stake negotiations. Many leaders in Congress including Dr Parameshwar have not been receptive to the idea of striking an alliance with JD(S) for the mayoral polls. They recall the dramatic breakdown of the Congress-JD(S) alliance in 2006 which led to the collapse of the Dharam Singh government.

Upset DKS off to Delhi

Energy minister, D.K. Shivakumar, known for his rivalry with the Deve Gowda family, on Tuesday reportedly met several party central leaders discreetly  to convey his displeasure over a possible alliance between JD(S) and Congress in the BBMP poll. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader close to Mr Shivakumar said, “The alliance which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is trying to forge with JD(S) will be the beginning of the end of the Congress party in south Karnataka. The Congress should not go for this tie-up.”

Corporators move HC

Even as the number game over the BBMP mayoral polls continues, the issue has reached the high court with five BJP women corporators over voting powers to non-corporators including MPs and MLAs to participate in mayoral elections.

First-time women BJP corporators - M Pramila, R Pratima, Deepa Nagesh, Umavati Padmaraj and Kumari Palanikant, have approached the court questioning the KMC Act and participation of MLAs, MPs and MLCs in the mayoral poll.

The HC adjourned the matter and directed the state government and state election commission to file objections to the petition.