BENGALURU:This is not the first time that the Congress is taking the help of another party in a bid to come to power in the Bengaluru city corporation.
A senior Congress leader confirmed that his party has twice taken the help of non-Congress members, especially independents.
“In 1970, the Congress had taken the help of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Muslim league as it fell short of a couple of seats. This way, the party was in power between 1970 and 1974,” he told Express.
In 1996, when the city had 85 wards, the Congress won 37 seats and faced a deficit of six seats. “That time, it was purely on independents,” he added.
This time, Congress has sought the support of the JD(S).
“The JD(S) extended its support on Monday and we will proceed,” the leader said. “All these years, we never approached a major political party like this.”
Meanwhile, the BJP members, who have approached the High Court questioning the voters’ list for the mayoral election, has criticised the Congress’ move.
‘Shameful Act’
“The Congress can approach any party to get to power. This is such a shameful act, that too when people have given a clear mandate of 100 seats to the BJP. It is their (Congress) cheap tactics.
The JD(S), which was their rival, has now become a friend,” a BJP councillor, who did not wish to be identified, said.
When it was pointed out that the BJP had won a simple majority with 100 seats, District in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy said there is a difference of only a few thousand votes between the parties.
“That means, we have the public’s blessings.”