Mayoral Poll: Congress, JD(S) reach a truce

Bengaluru: The Congress party’s trouble-shooter for the city's  Mayoral polls, Minister, R. Ramalinga Reddy, seems to have clinched a deal with the JD (S) to make sure its alliance with that party in the BBMP council continues for a year more.

Sources in the Congress said the party was certain to retain the Mayor’s post and give the  Deputy Mayor’s post to the JD(S).  But when contacted, Mr Reddy claimed  things were still in a flux as the JD (S) wanted the Mayor’s post and had made other demands, which  would have to be decided on by the Chief Minister and state party president, Dr G. Parameshwara.

Asked why he had been assigned to resolve the party’s differences with its partner in the BBMP council and Bengaluru Development Minister, K.J. George, kept  out of the loop, he said, "I don’t know the reason. But both the party president and the Chief Minister asked me to hold parleys with the JD (S) leaders and so I did.  There is nothing more to it.”

According to sources, the JD (S) has demanded the finance and taxation committee's chairmanship and is ready to p    art with the post of   town planning committee chairman. The Congress could give in to its demands to make sure it retains control of the BBMP in the run-up to the state elections, they add.

Meanwhile, the party has reportedly not taken the angry comments of its Bengaluru Rural MP, D.K. Suresh, on not being consulted on BBMP affairs, seriously. "We suspect someone has encouraged him to talk this way. He wanted the Mayor’s post, but no way can we give it to his supporters. At best, one of the many committees’ chairman’s post could go to them," said a  senior Congress leader from the city.