Congress wooing JD(S) to capture Belagavi ZP posts
Election to the posts of president and vice-president of Belagavi ZP will be held today.
Belagavi: After failing to achieve a majority in the Belagavi Zilla Panchayat (ZP) election, both the Congress and BJP are feverishly working out strategies to get the support of Independents and JD(S) members in a desperate attempt to win the ZP president's post in the election slated for Wednesday.
With 43 members in its camp, the Congress is short of three members in its bid to win the coveted post while the BJP with 39 seats, is finding it tough to find seven more members to ensure its victory. According to sources in Congress, two JD(S) members are willing to support it. The party is also trying its best to get the backing of at least one Independent.
Sources said JD(S) has agreed to support the Congress candidate for president’s post provided the party reciprocates by voting for a JD(S) member for the post of Vice-President, reserved for the General Category. Congress and JD(S) leaders were still working on this formula late on Tuesday.
Two members from Congress MLC Vivekrao Patil’s family are believed to be strong contenders for VP's post making it difficult for the party to make a commitment to JD(S) on seat-sharing. Before the election at 11 am on Wednesday, Congress leaders are confident that they can work out a plan.
Congress observers comprising R.B. Timmapur, Sadanand Dangnavar and H.M. Revanna along with Minister Satish Jarkiholi held a meeting with party leaders here on Tuesday to keep all members united. According to Congress leader Shivangouda Patil, the leaders are keen on securing both the President and VP posts whether the JD(S) backs them or not.