BENGALURU:Congress leaders and councillors are divided over the idea of their party joining hands with JD(S) to gain control over Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. While some leaders expressed happiness over the prospect of a non-BJP rule, others say they are skeptical.
A former Congress councillor, who did not want to be named, said the party needs to find ways to survive. “Despite being involved in a scams, the BJP bagged 100 seats. This will affect the next Assembly election. We need to make contributions if we want to seek votes from Bengalureans in the next Assembly election,” he said.
Another senior member, who too did not want to be identified, said, “We wanted non-BJP rule in BBMP. The public has seen what BJP did in the past eight years. If there is Congress rule in the state and non-Congress rule in BBMP, the public will suffer. We have no other option but to join hands with JD(S).”
A Congress councillor said, “As far as posts are concerned, it is the party leaders’ decision. We are happy that we will be a part of the ruling combine.”
When it was pointed out that Congress is losing its hold in other states after tying up with local parties, the councillors said they do not fear such a situation in Karnataka. “Urban local bodies are different from state politics,” one of them said.
Some, however, are apprehensive about the coalition.
Another Congress councillor said, “We might be successful in preventing the BJP but people are angry with this decision. They have lost faith in coalition as they have had bitter experience in the past. In the next Assembly election, this might adversely affect us. Also, once we join hands with JD(S), they will demand plum posts in the council. Our leaders have to oblige. This will increase the rift between our leaders,” he said.
District in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy said there are more advantages in coalition than allowing the BJP to rule. “BJP’s only achievement is they made BBMP bankrupt. Now that the government and the Mayor are from Congress, there will be better coordination.”