Bengaluru: Uncertainty reigns over who will bag the prestigious BBMP mayoral posts for which polls are due in September. The JD(S) state president, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy, has demanded the Mayor’s post as a pre-condition for continuing the alliance with Congress but most Congress leaders are averse to giving in to the former's demand.
These leaders feel that Mr Kumaraswamy is trying his best to extract more promises from the ruling party compared to last time as he feels his party legislators from Bengaluru are taking him for granted. So he wants to strengthen his position in the party by issuing such statements.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader said Mr Kumaraswamy was known for making demands whenever he enters into an alliance with the Congress. “Last time, he could not strike a deal- even before he could make his move, JD(S) legislators, B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan along with Congress MLA Byrathy Basvaraju took away JD(S) corporators along with independents to resorts in Kerala where the alliance was formed,” the source added.
The Congress usually never offers the Mayor’s or Chief Minister's post to its alliance partner, irrespective of its numbers. “Even when we win less seats, our party pushes for the top post except in states like Bihar or Uttar Pradesh, where we are not in good shape. At least in Bengaluru, we can call the shots as we are falling short by only 7-8 eight votes this time which we can muster by winning the JD(S) to our side or ensuring that a few corporators of rival parties remain absent during voting,” the source said.
According to the source, most JD(S) and independent corporators may not be keen on Mr Kumaraswamy posturing vis-à-vis the Congress or the BJP 's attempts to lure them. They know that their association with the Congress will fetch them more dividends than an alliance with the BJP.
“As a result, the Congress is pretty sure of getting its nominee elected as mayor again while the JD(S) will get the deputy mayor’s post,” the source added.
