Congress ready to join hands with JD(S) in hung Panchayats

Bengaluru, Feb 24: With none of the parties getting majority in 11 of the 30 Zilla Panchayats (ZP) and several of Taluk Panchayats (TPs), the ruling Congress on Tuesday said it was ready to join hands with the JD(S) to hold the reins of power.

Speaking to reporters, KPCC president G Parameshwara said possibility of an alliance depends on the willingness on part of the JD(S) to cooperate with the Congress. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and himself will soon hold a discussion and chalk out a broad framework of the alliance, he added.

None of the three major political parties of the Congress, the BJP and the JD(S) has been able to get a clear majority in 11 ZPs. As a result, the JD(S) is in demand in a majority of these ZPs. Mysuru, Kolar, Tumakuru, Shivamogga, Dharwad, Raichur, Bengaluru Urban, Yadgir, Bagalkot, Vijayapura and Belagavi are the hung ZPs.

The Congress and the JD(S) joining hands to hold the reins of power in ZPs and TPs is nothing new in the State. The two parties had formed an alliance after the 2011 panchayat polls and controlled the administration of many ZPs and TPs, including Bengaluru Urban ZP, which had got hung results.

The two parties are currently holding the reins of administration in Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike by forming an alliance.

Parameshwara said the final decision to form an alliance with the JD(S) will be left to the local leaders. The respective district incharge minister, party legislators and senior leaders will take a decision after looking into the pros and cons of an alliance.

Cabinet rejig

Though Parameshwara did not rule out the possibility of revamping the State council of ministers, he said the decision in this regard was left to the Chief Minister.

“As the State party president, I have not yet discussed about revamping the council of ministers with the chief minister. It is left to the discretion of the chief minister,” he added.
Asked about the Congress failing to win the ZP of his home district Tumakuru, he admitted that the party should have done better there. The Congress has faced defeat even in Koratagere, which Parameshwara used to represent. Of the four ZP seats in Koratagere, the Congress has won only one.

The JD(S), however, is playing the card close to its chest. The party leaders, JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda and State president H D Kumaraswamy, chose not speak on the Congress' offer for an alliance.

Dist leaders to take call on pact: BJP

State BJP?president Pralhad Joshi has described the results of the taluk and zilla panchayat as “inspiring” for the party. He said that the party would leave it to the district leaders on taking support from like-minded candidates for gaining power at zilla and taluk panchayats, reports DHNS from New Delhi.

“Though the party has won more seats in several places, still it is short of numbers for the formation of the local body. In such cases, the party has asked the local leaders to take decision on their own to form alliance with like-minded party or seek help from independent candidates,”he said. He said the results proved that the people of Karnataka have rejected the administration of the Siddaramaiah-led government.

Break-up of seats in 30 zilla panchayats

Congress secured a majority in 10 ZPs, the BJP?in seven and the JD(S)?managed to wrest control of two ZPs. Hung verdict was witnessed in as many as 11 of the 30 ZPs which went to polls in two phases earlier this month. Election to the posts of the president and the vice president decides the ruling party in the panchayat body. If two candidates secure an equal number of votes - which is possible in places where two parties have equal strength - the winner will be decided through a draw of lots.