Kalaburagi Corpn: JDS, BJP almost reach agreement

Bengaluru, Sep 13 (UNI) Considering the latest remarks made by senior JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy, it appears that the JDS and BJP have almost reached an agreement of forging an alliance to gain control over the Kalaburagi city corporation.
Kumaraswamy Monday said the state Congress leaders do not have any desire to form an alliance with the JDS to gain power in the Kalaburagi city corporation, but the BJP has shown keen interest in this regard.
“In my view, none of the state Congress leaders have any desire to form an alliance with us to gain power in the Kalaburagi corporation. Whereas, BJP ministers and chief minister (Basavaraj Bommai), have consistently appealing to us,” he told reporters after the conclusion of the JDS Legislature Party meeting.
Kumaraswamy said only senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had appealed to the JDS national president HD Deve Gowda over phone to form an alliance.
“If an appeal comes from the Congress High Command, we will then consult with our leaders and then take a decision,” he added.
Yesterday, senior BJP leader and minister R Ashoka had met Kumaraswamy a couple of days back along with JDS leader Sara Mahesh and held talks on various issues including the Kalaburagi dilemma for one-and-a-half hours.
Ashoka had exuded confidence as Kumaraswamy expressed his openness to form an alliance. He also said except Kharge, no other Congress leaders, especially Siddaramaiah have spoken on joing hands.
The Congress and BJP had fallen short of gaining a simple majority in the 55-seat city corporation elections.
While the Congress needs just one councillor’s support to gain power, BJP needs five. The Congress had won 27 seats and BJP 23, JDS 4 and others 1.
As a result, the JDS has emerged as the kingmaker and both the national parties started negotiation with it to forge an alliance.
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge took the lead and held deliberations with Deve Gowda over phone.
He urged the former prime minister to lend support to the Congress party as it had emerged as the single-largest party and keep the communal BJP at bay.