Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 5: Congress and JD(S), which are hell bent on keeping BJP out of the race for power, are trying to extend their coalition politics to even urban local bodies wherever no party has got absolute majority. Out of 30 urban local bodies where such a situation has arisen, Congress has planned to rule 11 such bodies including two city corporations by coming together. They are also understood to be trying to grab power in five more bodies with the help of independents. There is also chance of Congress rising to power with the support of BSP in one of the bodies, and in another, Congress and KPJP can enter into an understanding.

As such, out of 30 urban local bodies where the situation is volatile, Congress is set to rise to power in 18 with the support of JD(S), BSP and KPJP.

Congress also has an opportunity to rule Haveri, Ankola, and Kottur urban local bodies with the support of independents. In Terdal and Sankeshwar too Congress is short by one seat and it has the opportunity to enter into alliance with independents. However, in both these bodies, BJP too is in need of only one seat and therefore, independents will be deciding who will rule here.

Although local alliances have risen to power in Nippani municipality and Chikkodi municipality, many of them are BJP supporters and hence BJP leaders feel they can have a say in their administration. Therefore, leaders have been asked to ensure that none of the independents join Congress or JD(S), it is gathered.

In cases where groups of independents are able to rule the local bodies, BJP leaders have asked the local leaders to extend outside support. In Karwar municipality, Congress - JD(S) combine has won 15 seats while BJP has won 11. As five independents have won here, Operation Lotus is possible here, party functionaries say. However, because of reservation criteria, BJP will have to draw strategies as per local requirements in case of certain local bodies.

BJP, which has control over 27 urban local bodies including a city corporation, is in need of one seat in Chitradurga municipality, and two seats in Chamarajanagar municipality. It needs one seat each in Moodalagi and Karkala and two in Keroor. As Congress is short by more numbers here, BJP has an edge.

In Bantwal municipality in Dakshina Kannada, BJP has won 11 seats as against 12 of the Congress out of 27 seats. SDPI with four seats can become the kingmaker here. BJP is demanding to ban SDPI and Congress leader Khader has said that his party will have no truck with SDPI. It will therefore be interesting to watch future developments.

Operation Lotus

BJP is planning to resort to Operation Lotus at the local level to keep Congress and JD(S) at bay in as many bodies as possible. The district level leaders have got instructions to contact independents and try to snatch them towards BJP. Leaders like Sriramulu, Katta Subramanya Naidu, Basavaraj Bommai, Murugesh Nirani and Umesh Katti have been given powers to get into understanding. State BJP president, B S Yeddyurappa, has given instructions to district BJP presidents, MLAs and former MLAs, to put in efforts towards this end.

Out of 35 seats in Hassan municipality, JD(S) has 17 seats. It is short of one seat. But, instead of forging alliance with Congress which has two councillors here, it has planned to enter into understanding with independents and rule the municipality. It is said that H D Revanna is trying to put brakes on the march of Congress with this move. it is also said that BJP is also ready to support group of councillors if they are ready to come out from their parties and form an alliance locally in case of a few local bodies.