In the previous Assembly elections, JD(S) candidate S Munishamappa had won the seat from the Assembly constituency and had held the reigns of administration. The CMC had faced elections under his leadership in which, 18 JD(S) members and 9 Congress candidates had won the seats. The reason for the JD(S) majority could be attributed to the MLA’s presence.

For the last 15 years, the roads in the taluk had not been asphalted, there was no proper underground drainage system, nor concrete roads, etc. Within a span of one year, the MLA had implemented all these works. And the benefit of all these works were converted into votes for the JD(S) candidates, who could easily walk away with a majority in the CMC elections.

In a fix
And now, the president and vice-president’s posts are due for elections. Situations in the taluk had changed now. Due to the State’s political fluctuations, Mr Munishamappa had now identified himself with the M P Prakash faction, openly. With this, the CMC members are now in a fix.

Now who should they portray as their leader? This was the million dollar question in front of them. Should they all abandon JD(S) together or should they continue to remain in the same party? The CMC members are bogged with these questions.

Amidst all these turmoil, the opportunists are indulging into horse-trading. According to sources, already four of the JD(S) members were ready to quit the JD(S) and join the Congress.

If the Congress High Command wins over another couple of JD(S) members towards their side, then all of them would join the Congress together. And for this, the vice-president’s post should be given to them in return, the members are said to be thinking on these lines, the sources stated.

In the midst of these developments, all the 18 JD(S) members who have won, are on a two-day tour, which has been arranged by former MLA S Munishamappa.

By doing so, he was making efforts to ensure that all the members were under his control.

However, some of the members have abstained themselves from this tour, which has again created a difficult situation.