Congress-JD(S) Hold On To Each Other Ahead Of BBMP Mayoral Polls

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) mayoral polls are around the corner and the contest for the top job in the second richest municipal body in the country has heated up. While the Congress-JD(S) alliance in the Palike is set to continue, finalization of candidates is still underway.

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For the past three years, the Congress party has held on to the position of the Mayor. But this time around, sources say that Congress' alliance partner JD(S) too has eyed the top post. Former Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who is overseeing the preparations on Congress' behalf, however, denied the claim.

Ramalinga Reddy said, " There are three to four corporators in the fray. Soumya from Shanthinagar, Lavanya from Pulkeshi Nagar, Gangambike from Chickpet and Latha from Gandhinagar. They've (JD(S) ) not made any demands yet. Our high command will take a final call on 27th. All the independent corporators are with us."

As far as the numbers are concerned, BJP is the single largest party with 100 seats, followed by Congress with 75 and 15 with JD(S).  The Congress along with the JD(S) and other independents cobble up to 137 while BJP has 122 on its side. An estimated 259 voters including councilor, MLAs, MLC and MPs will cast their votes on September 29th.

The BJP, however, is still hopeful. Party's corporator and the leader of opposition in the Palike had this to say, " They've increased their number of voters by violating rules. I've lodged a complaint with the EC. There are a lot of developments happening in the state it may have an impact on the Mayoral polls".

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This time, the post of the Mayor has been reserved for a woman from the general category. Recently, senior Congress MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa wrote to Rahul Gandhi and batted for Gangambike for the post of Mayor. He cited that she is from the Veerashaiva Lingayat community and demanded fair representation. While lobbying continues for the post of the Mayor, the candidate for the top job has a big task ahead in clearing debts and streamlining the Palike.