Congress, BJP in a race to woo JD(S)

With 11 zilla panchayats (ZP) having thrown up no clear winner, the focus of the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party has shifted to striking an alliance, especially with the Janata Dal (Secular), and wrest power in these seats.

Despite failing to hold its ground in these polls, the JD(S) holds the key in several hung ZPs, especially in the old Mysuru region.

All efforts have now begun by both the Congress and the BJP to woo the JD(S) as it is not merely a question of capturing the hung ZPs, but sending a strong political message. The situation has come as a blessing in disguise for the JD(S), which is facing serious internal divisions and even rebellion by some sections.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hinted at wooing the JD(S) by publicly expressing a desire to align with secular forces to keep fundamentalists at bay.

But the BJP too is wasting no time. The party, which is yet to make any strong inroads at the grassroots level in old Mysuru region, is keen to make up for such lacunae by joining hands with the JD(S). The main intention behind the BJP’s move is to score a political point by capturing the Mysuru ZP in the Chief Minister’s home town and Bengaluru Urban ZP that has a political significance due to it’s proximity to the State capital.

Though Mr. Siddaramaiah himself has his roots in the JD(S), the BJP believes that the sharp exchange between him and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy over the allegations of possessing “costly watches” may work in its favour.

BJP State General Secretary C.T. Ravi said the party would ask its local units to take a call on the options before them for capturing the hung ZPs in a bid to take them into confidence in the process of forging an alliance.

On its part, the JD(S) is expected to drive a “hard bargain”, according to sources. Pointing out that the government is yet to announce the matrix of reservation for the posts of president and vice-presidents of the hung ZPs, a JD(S) leader pointed out that the reservation matrix plays a crucial role while deciding on the options for alliance as only those parties that have the members from the relevant caste categories can get the benefit from such an alliance. This has also raised a speculation that the government could use the reservation matrix as a strategy to either make the JD(S) fall in line or break any alliance plans with the BJP.

The BJP is confident of capturing three to five ZPs without much difficulty as it needs only a couple of seats to cross the simple majority and the Congress hopes to take over five and increase its tally to 15.