Will Congress-JD(S) alliance spoil BJP chances in BBMP?

Even as hectic late-night parleys continued on Friday in IT city Bengaluru between Congress and JD(S) over an alliance to keep the BJP away from BBMP (Bruhut Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike), speculations are rife over two parties staking their claims to snatch power from the BJP. Just two days after the BBMP election results were declared the city witnessed hectic political activities and independents who are crucial in the entire drama have been lured by all political parties to take over BBMP which is crucial especially for the ruling Congress Government in Karnataka.

Even though the BJP secured 100 wards in the civic elections held to BBMP, in 198 wards it is short of just three seats to get that simple majority to reach the magic figure of 103. According to sources, Congress with 76 seats and the JD(S) with 14 seats are banking on eight independent candidates and an electoral system where local MPs, MlAs and MlCs have voting powers on matters in the BBMP council to clinch control over the city.

However, a source in the JD(S) told The Pioneer that they were in discussions with the Congress which is disappointed at its performance and also has political impact within the ruling party. The source also confirmed a senior JD(S) leader is in touch with the Congress and ready for “Keep BJP away from BBMP” operation.

Meanwhile, the BJP leaders met in the evening and took stock of the situation. A BJP leader confessed they were worried over the political situation and decided to lure the independents at any cost. According to sources, the eight independents have been shifted to a resort in Kerala and horse trading has become imminent.

Under the extended electoral system the total number of votes in the city council stands at 255 members — which includes 52 local MPs, MlAs and MlCs plus MlCs residing in Bengaluru. Under this system a party needs the support of a total of 128 councilors and legislators to take control of the affairs of the city council. The BJP with 100 councilors, 12 MlAs, eight MlCs, and five MPs (including Rajya Sabha) now has 125 votes on its side. The Congress and the JD(S) together have the support of 122 councilors and legislators.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah denied all these things and said, “I don’t know anything.”  JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said his party so far has not decided anything on this and said they were neutral.