BBMP politics: BJP, Congress woo JD(S) for Bengaluru mayor's post

BENGALURU: With an eye on the Assembly polls and to make an impact among urban voters, all three major political parties – BJP, Congress and JD(S) – are aiming to grab the Bengaluru mayor’s post, for which the election will be held on September 9.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader R. Ashok told Deccan Chronicle that the party will have a clear picture in the next three days. “We will meet state Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Kumaraswamy and national president H.D. Deve Gowda and discuss alliance between our parties and sharing of posts,” Mr Ashok said.

Both the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is the single largest party with 100 seats in the Palike council, and the Congress are trying hard to get the Janata Dal (Secular) to their side to get the magic number to assume power at the local body, which has 27 assembly constituencies. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which lost power last year from a sniffing distance, is determined to come to power this year.

“A meeting will be held with two Union ministers Ananth Kumar and Sadananda Gowda to chalk out strategies to capture the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike. Opinions have been sought and all the corporators and MLAs have agreed to forge an alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular),” he said.

Once the Bharatiya Janata Party comes to power, the Congress, which is the ruling party in the state, cannot tarnish the image of the BJP by not extending financial support or other assistance, as most of the approvals have already been given, he argued. Besides, the state government has to look up to the union government, which is ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, for assistance, he argued.

“We are in politics and we are politicians. We cannot show our backs to such situations. Though the Congress is ruling the state, we contested and won the maximum number of seats in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike. These are not hindrances,” he said.

He rubbished reports that state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa is against the the party going with the Janata Dal (Secular). He has not expressed any displeasure or opinion against an alliance with the JD(S), Mr Ashok said.