Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Mar 2: As per current indications, if the negotiations between BJP and JD(S) culminate in an understanding and unless reservation criteria comes in the way of electing president and vice presidents of zilla panchayats in the state, BJP and JD(S) are all set to agree to share power equally in cases of zilla panchayats where none of these parties enjoy a majority. BJP is likely to agree to concede posts of the president in Kolar and Mysuru zilla panchayats to JD(S), which is also likely to get the posts of vice presidents in Bengaluru city, Tumakuru and Vijayapura districts.
Sources say that the BJP leaders are not agreeable to give the post of the president of Tumakuru zilla panchayat to JD(S). JD(S) is arguing that it should be given three zilla panchayats, as the verdict in Kolar zilla panchayat is vertically split, with 15 members representing Congress and the remaining 15 shared by BJP and JD(S). Here, the post of the president would be decided by draw of lots, and hence, JD(S) argues that there is no guarantee that this post will be bagged by it.
In Shivamogga and Dharwad zilla panchayats where no one enjoys absolute majority, it is gathered, BJP does not need the support of JD(S). But BJP has to enter into alliance with JD(S) in Bengaluru city, Raichur, Vijaypura, Tumakuru, Mysuru,and Kolar zilla panchayats, out of which JD(S) eyes three posts of president. At the same time, it is said that JD(S) is prepared to concede some positions in ten taluks where these two parties can come to power if they succeed in entering into an understanding. JD(S) state president, Kumaraswamy, held consultation on Tuesday with some of his legislators, and the meeting decided to convene parliamentary party meeting shortly to thrash out the issue.
Some of the JD(S) representatives, particularly from Belagavi, Shivamogga, Raichur and Yadagiri districts, are against entering into seat sharing formula with the BJP. In these districts, the MLAs want to align with the Congress, it is said. As per calculations, JD(S) and Congress can rise to power in Raichur and Shivamogga districts if they are able to strike an understanding, it is gathered. However, top leadership of the party wants to opt for a state-wide uniform formula instead of having different understandings for different districts.