Karnataka: Congress gains control of Channapatna city municipal corporation amid impending bypoll

BENGALURU: In a significant boost to the governing party ahead of the upcoming byelection to the Channapatna assembly segment, Congress has gained control of Channapatna city municipal corporation (CMC) through strategic defections from JD(S).

Over the past few days, 13 of the 16 JD(S) corporators have switched to Congress, prompting the Ramanagara deputy commissioner, who also serves as the district returning officer, to recognise them as Congress members.

The deputy commissioner's order on Sept 17 stated that the merger is legal since two-thirds of JD(S) members have voluntarily joined Congress. As a result, the strength of the regional outfit has dwindled to just three corporators in the 31-member CMC, while Congress has increased its numbers to 24. An independent corporator has also switched allegiance to Congress.

JD(S) has expressed concern over this development and is contemplating legal action. "The decision of the deputy commissioner is illegal, and we will question it in a court of law," said KA Tippeswamy, MLC and state JD(S) spokesperson.

The political manoeuvre comes at a crucial time as a bypoll for the Channapatna assembly seat is expected to be announced in a couple of days. The election was necessitated following the resignation of then MLA, HD Kumaraswamy, JD(S) state president, who was elected to the Lok Sabha in May. Both deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar and his brother, former MP DK Suresh, are heavily invested in the constituency and hope to reclaim the seat previously held by Kumaraswamy.

Shivakumar and Suresh have been actively campaigning in Channapatna since May, meeting with constituents and announcing several development initiatives, including a housing scheme aimed at benefiting the poor. Their efforts appear to be part of a broader strategy to regain political ground after Suresh's defeat in Bangalore Rural constituency in the Lok Sabha elections. Shivakumar has repeatedly said that no matter who the party candidate is, it would be a referendum on his leadership skills.

JD(S) downplayed the defections, insisting it will have no effect. "This is a temporary setback, and it will not impact our prospects in the byelection," a senior JD(S) functionary asserted. "Shivakumar and Suresh had done similar ‘gimmicks' before the Lok Sabha elections. They had taken several of our local functionaries, including a few former members of urban local bodies. Still, Congress lost badly in the Old Mysuru region. The same thing will repeat in Channapatna."

How these defections will affect the prospects of Congress and BJP-JD(S) in the run-up to the bypoll is the question as both sides gear up for the impending electoral contest.