All eyes on JD(S) as mayor’s term nears end

BK Lakshmikantha
Mysuru: The tenure of mayor Sunanda Palanethra, a senior corporator from BJP, is ending in three weeks, and now political circles are abuzz about what JD(S) will do in the next mayoral election.
It was because JD(S) refused to support Congress even though the party had entered an alliance with it, that BJP could utilise the opportunity and get its member elected as the mayor.Now, there are indications that JD(S) could continue its understanding with BJP and get the mayor’s post while BJP will get deputy mayor’s post.
Sunanda Palanetra was elected Mayor on August 25 last year and her term will end on February 23, 2022. The mid-term election was held after Rukmini Madegowda of JD(S) was disqualified as a corporator after the high court annulled her election from Yaraganahalli-Ambedkar Colony (ward 36) following a petition by her opponent.
JD(S) city chief KT Chaluvegowda told TOI that the party has made an agreement with BJP on sharing the mayor’s post. “As per the agreement, we had supported them to get the mayor’s post in the previous election. So JD(S) will get the mayor’s post in the coming election and BJP will get the deputy mayor’s post,” he said.
He added that the Mayoral candidate will be selected after the announcement of the reservation matrix by the government.
However, Congress city president R Murthy told TOI that there is every chance that the government may delay the announcement of reservation for the mayor and deputy mayor posts.
“As per procedure, the government has to announce the reservation and later the election date will be finalised. Once the date is announced there will be political activities and finalising the candidates for the election. But there are indications that the government is planning to postpone the election by a month as mayor Palanetra got just six months in the post,” he said.
Murthy added that Congress will never approach JD(S) in the coming election.
“JD(S) leaders have not kept their word. If JD(S) leaders come and seek Congress support in the coming election, then we will speak to our party leaders and take a decision. In such a situation, Congress will get the mayor’s post,” he said.