Fear of lack of quorum during budget meeting today

Even as the City Municipal Council (CMC) President is ready to present the budget on the last day of the fiscal year in Mandya, on Tuesday, the possibilities look bleak, thanks to the political developments during the past few days.

The internal bickerings among the Congress Councillors rose when CMC President B Siddaraju declined to resign after his 15 month tenure, as per the agreement with the party leaders.

District in-charge Minister Ambarish too had publicly voiced that Siddaraju should resign. The councillors, belonging to the minister’s faction, had issued statements to introduce a ‘No confidence motion’ against the president.

But, as some of the councillors of the opposition party JD(S) were assured by Siddaraju of Standing Committee president’s posts, they extended support to the president. This caused a temporary setback for the plans of Ambi’s faction.

Now, Siddaraju’s failure to keep his promise has irked the JD(S) members, who have made a volte-face and have decided to boycott the budget meeting. According to sources, they held a meeting with MLA N Chaluvarayaswamy and party State president H D Kumaraswamy in this regard.

Strength
There are 35 councillors in the CMC, including Congress-15; JD(S)-9; BJP-1 and Independents-10. The BJP has identified itself with the president.

It is said that there are 17 members in Ambarish’s faction, which is lobbying against the president.

However, Siddaraju claims that he has the support of more than 15 members.
But, during the general meeting held recently, only 10 members identified with Siddaraju were present. As JD(S) members were present, there was no lack of quorum and the meeting was held.

However, there has to be 13 councillors during budget presentation on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Siddaraju is said to have met some JD(S) members and requested them to attend the meeting.

So, it is anticipated that factionism in the JD(S) too will come to the fore.