CMC chief shifts political loyalty

Cballapur municipal president joins Congress after 10-month stint in JD(S)

Both of them were JD(S) members in the Chikkaballapur City Municipal Council. Prakash had jumped to the JD(S) from the Congress party only ten months ago. Chikkappaiah, Milton, Venkatesh and some other Congress leaders had also joined the JD(S) along with him. However, during the Lok Sabha elections, most of the leaders had returned to the Congress party under the leadership of M Veerappa Moily. But, Prakash had remained in the JD(S).

Of late, hectic political developments have been taking place in the City Municipal Council and some Congress leaders were trying to dethrone Prakash as president. As per the power sharing agreement, Prakash had to demit the office as it was the turn of Congress to head the City Municipal Council. Recently, Congress leader Perikal Mallappa had demanded Prakash’s resignation. As the JD(S)  didn't enjoy enough strength in the City Municipal Council the chances of Prakash continuing as the President looked remote. Hence, joining the Congress was the only option left for Prakash, it is said.

JD(S) loses strength

On Saturday, Prakash and Venkatalaxmamma joined the Congress at Moily’s residence in Bangalore. With this, the JD(S) strength in the City Municipal Council has dipped to four.

When the elections were held to the City Municipal Council 14 members were elected from the JD(S). Later, most of them shifted their loyalties to the Congress.
Chikkaballapur politics has witnessed many a shift of loyalties in the last decade.

Individuals hold the sway in this district more than the political parties. The latest political drama too is seen as an extension of the same.

Prakash has said that he returned to the Congress party keeping the interests of the Chikkaballapur City in mind.

A proposal seeking Rs 50 crore for building cement roads in the City has been forwarded to the union government. The Union minister Moily has promised to get the money released, he said.

According to reliable sources, Karntaka Pradesh Congress Committee member M Anjinappa, former president of Taluk Panchayat Dr G R Gopal Reddy, City Municipal Council members Rafiq, Chikkappaiah, Manjunath, Lokesh, Bibijamn and others were present when Prakash joined the Congress party.