Bengaluru: Cong split over tie-up with JD(S)

www.mangaloretoday.com

Bengaluru: September 1, 2015: Serious differences have emerged within the ruling Congress over having a pact with the JD(S) to hold the reins of the BBMP. A section of Congress leaders see no merit in shaking hands with the father-son duo of H D Deve Gowda and H D Kumaraswamy.

Though Gowda virtually rolled out a red carpet to the Congress on Tuesday to facilitate talks for an alliance, KPCC president G Parameshwara has not been receptive.

“We work within a framework. Decisions regarding alliance should be taken at the high command level. So far I have not received any instructions from the high command. At present I have no plans to meet anyone in the JD(S). A lot of consultation is required in case both parties want to have a tie-up,” Parameshwara told Deccan Herald.

The party high command has not given its nod for a tie-up with any party, he added.
Sources in the Congress said a section of leaders have serious reservations in having any sort of understanding with the JD(S) as it would cause severe damage to the party in the long run.

Their argument is that the JD(S) is struggling to get back the “secular” tag and for that it is trying to use the Congress. But supporters of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are eager to have an alliance with the JD(S)

It is learnt that they have already conveyed to Gowda that the KPCC president will meet him on Wednesday and formally request for JD(S)’s support in the mayoral elections.

The Siddaramaiah camp, unmindful of the party’s stand, is going ahead with its plans. Parameshwara, who recently visited Delhi, apparently submitted a report to the party high command on the Congress’s performance in the BBMP polls.

Siddaramaiah is expected to go to Delhi on September 3 to appraise the party central leadership on the post-BBMP poll developments.