Mahesh non-committal; to seek Corporators’ views

Mysore/Mysuru: With the Mayoral poll fixed for Aug. 25, hectic parleys are going on between BJP and JD(S) leaders to strike a possible deal to share power in the coming next one year.

As part of this, Co-operation Minister S.T. Somashekar and other leaders met K.R. Nagar JD(S) MLA S.R. Mahesh at his office last night and held meeting for over one hour. Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, MLA L. Nagendra and City BJP President Srivatsa were present.

Later, Somashekar told media persons that Mahesh was a most ‘trusted’ JD(S) leader in this region. The BJP had sought his support during last two Mayoral polls and it is asked for the coming elections too. The MLA has clarified that he alone cannot take decision since it needs to be discussed with the State leaders and the party Corporators. In the meantime, BJP City President Srivatsa will talk to the State BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel regarding seeking the JD(S) support. A clear picture will emerge in two days.

Mahesh said that BJP leaders have sought his party support in the Mayoral polls. A meeting of party Corporators will be held on Saturday (Aug. 21) to seek their opinion and the same will be shared with the party Supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy. The decision of the duo will be final, he noted.

Wants Mayor post

Having failed to get the Mayor post in last two elections, the BJP was leaving no stone unturned to grab this post at any cost and holding the meetings with JD(S) leaders to woo them. Firstly, power sharing must be decided at local level and then it will be finalised by State leaders. It was learnt that Somashekar has sought the Mayor’s post for BJP to which Mahesh has categorically stated that his party Corporators are not ready for it.

In previous Mayor election held on June 11, the JD(S) was confident of retaining the Mayor post as part of the agreement with Congress. On the other hand, the Congress had planned to occupy this post for next two terms. The JD(S) Corporators did not want to lose the opportunity since the post of Mayor had been reserved to General Category-Woman.

They have decided to maintain a similar stand in the coming Mayoral poll as they feel anything may happen in politics and chances of going with old partner Congress or new partner BJP cannot be ruled. Despite that they must not give up the Mayor post to other party. 

This evening

Mahesh has conveyed a meeting of his party corporators at a private hotel in city this evening to elicit their opinion. MLCs K.T. Srikantegowda and Marithibbegowda and others are expected to attend. 

In the meantime, Congress has continued its efforts to grab the Mayor post and learnt to have resolved to support JD(S) only if the latter agrees to give that post for it. As of now, the picture still looks hazy and a clear picture on alignment among parties may emerge only on the day of election.