'Tour diplomacy' to keep flock together

While MLC Naseer Ahmed has sponsored Mumbai tour of 18 councillors, equal number of councillors are in the New Delhi tour sponsored by legislator Varthur Prakash. Thus a solitary vote could swing the outcome.

The direction of the JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy to support Varthur Prakash had boosted the prospects of latter’s candidates.

The party has five councillors. However, the Congress has managed to lure two members -  Muraligowda and Tygaraju - to its fold. Both had reached Mumbai Thursday night itself and were “out of reach” on their cellphones.

Stung by the shift, JD(S) leader Alangur Srinivas and others attempted to contact Muraligowda through his mother. Another JD(S) councillor Ravindra said he would vote for the candidate directed by his party. According to sources, except Ravindra, L Khaleel and Yashodamma, all other councillors are in tour.

Former legislator K Srinivasa Gowda of Congress has taken “sanyas” this time according to sources. However, his decisive role on earlier occasions cannot be overlooked.
A tough contest has ensured for the post of vice-president reserved for general category. All the councillors in both the groups are vying for the post.

Alangur’s choice

In Mulbagal, the election of the president and vice-president for second term of the Town Municipal Council is scheduled for August 27. The post of the president is reserved for BCM(A) category and that of the vice-president is reserved for General Merit category.
There are a total of 27 elected members (of whom one is dead) and five nominated members. JD(S) has 14 councillors, Congress, BJP and independents number four each. Nominated members have no voting right. A total of 15 councillors are eligible to contest for the election - eight of JD(S), two each of BJP and Congress and one independent.
The JD(S) has the highest number of aspirants - M J Mallikarjun, Abdul Basheer, Nayaz, M P Wajid, Sadia Begum, Ejaz Ahmed, Shahina Taj and the present president Dr Ramahathulla Khan. The non-JD(S) members total to 12 and possibilities of their contest is remote. Former minister Alangur Srinivas holds sway over local politics. His choice is sure to get the post. Srinivas, however, has not revealed his strategies.

All the 26 councillors can contest for the post of vice-president. The by-election to fill in the vacancy created due to death of Athaulla will be held on September 26. The nomination for the election will have to be filed before Sep 13. Counting of votes will be taken up on Sep 28.