Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 5: Sources say that Congress high command wants to have alliance with JD(S) for the urban local bodies’ election at centres where BJP has a strong foothold. The central leadership of the party is learnt to have sent clear message to the state leaders to stem the growth of BJP from the grass root level and for this purpose, to have truck with JD(S) at places where BJP is strong.

This information got credence after Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Dinesh Gundu Rao visited JD(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda, at the latter's residence on Saturday August 4 for discussions.

It is said that former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, is vehemently fighting against having any consensus with JD(S) in the urban local bodies’ election. He is of the firm opinion that the party will gain if it fights the election independently.

Siddaramaiah and leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, participated in the Congress Working Committee meeting at New Delhi about this aspect. It is said that national leaders have asked them to see that Congress candidates fight independently where the party has strong base, allow JD(S) to compete where that party has good chances of winning, and to fight together against BJP where the BJP is strong. At the same time, they want the local leaders to have final say in this arrangement.

Siddaramaiah however expressed the opinion that it would be in the interests of the party if it goes to the polls independently. He feels that entering into alliance in some constituencies might give rise to confusion and that this might give rise to clandestine understandings. He also is said to have told the leaders that fighting the urban local bodies’ election alone will help in strengthening the organizational set up and strengthen of the party from the bottom level. He feels that the party will benefit if it goes all alone.

However, Dinesh Gundu Rao clarified that no understanding has been reached about having any alliance for the urban bodies’ election or Lok Saba election. He said he never discussed these issues during his meeting with Deve Gowda. He added that the party high command will decide about his inclusion in the coordination committee in the capacity of the president of KPCC.