BBMP polls: JD(S) ministers to meet on Sept 5

Bengaluru, Aug 31: The JD(S) corporators numbering 14 are scheduled to return to Bengaluru on September 5 when the party holds a crucial meeting on an alliance to form the council at the BBMP with the Congress.

The JD(S) has made it clear to the Congress that it will give it support if the post of Deputy Mayor is chosen from their party.

The JD(S) corporators were taken out of the city and parked in Kerala in a bid to avoid horse trading leading up to the formation of the council at the BBMP.

The recently concluded BBMP polls saw the BJP take 100 seats and ending up as the largest party. The Congress with 75 seats is attempting to form an alliance with the JD(S). Both parties are also in talks with the Independents (8) whose support is extremely crucial to form the council.

JD(S) meet on September 5

The JD(S) which has become the kingmaker with just 14 seats will hold a meeting of its leaders on September 5th. All its corporators have been asked to stay back in Kerala and arrive in the city only on September 5th ahead of the crucial meeting.

The meeting is aimed at discussing the formalities and also the demand to be made before giving out support to the Congress. The Congress says that there is a proposal that has been made by the JD(S).

If the Congress gets the JD(S) and the Independents on board it would have a strength of 132 members. This would also include the the MP's MLA's and the MLCs whose vote becomes crucial while electing the Mayor.

A party needs 128 members in order to elect a Mayor and Deputy Mayor of its choice and run the council. The BJP on the other hand needs the support of just two Independents in order to form the council and the party says it is confident of getting the numbers.

What does the JD(S) want?

The JD(S) has made it clear to the Congress that it would want the post of Deputy Mayor. The Congress seems to have agreed in principle to the demand, but are also waiting to see what the independents have demanded.

BJP leader, Sadananda Gowda who met with JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda sought his support. While Deve Gowda remained non-committal, Sadananda Gowda however maintained that they are confident of forming the council. The BJP will however wait until September 5th for the JD(S) meet to get over before making any offer.

OneIndia News