Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 25: JD(S), which had earlier been demanding the post of the mayor as a precondition for supporting Congress in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) administration, has loosened its grip. It is now agreeable to support the candidate of a Congressman for the post of the city mayor. This election is being held on September 28.

The climb down in the stand by the JD(S) happened during the discussions JD(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda, had with minisiter Ramalinga Reddy, at the residence of MP, Kupendra Reddy here on Sunday September 24. The JD(S) however has come up with certain conditions.

Deve Gowda has demanded for the formation of coordination committee for the smooth conduct of this coalition, which is in its third year. He has insisted that all important decisions of BBMP should be taken only after they are discussed in the coordination committee. He also said that there should not be step-motherly treatment to corporators from his party in distribution of grants, and that harassment at the hands of Congress MLAs should not continue. Gowda also staked claim on the posts of chairman of five standing committees. Ramalinga Reddy promised to Deve Gowda that his party will make sure that terms of the coalition will not be broken.

After the discussions, JD(S) corporators, MLAs and other leaders met at the JD(S) office to hold discussions on the issue. After the meeting, Gowda told media persons that preliminary discussions were held about who should be the deputy mayor, and about distribution of standing committees. He added that final decision would be made known on September 27.