Parties go into huddle on eve of BBMP poll notification

A flurry of political activity was witnessed in the ruling Congress, opposition BJP and JD(S) on Sunday, a day before the State Election Commission was expected to notify the election process.

The JD(S), which was the first among the three parties to start preparations for the polls, turned aggressive with its leader H D Kumaraswamy making charges against the Congress. The BJP held its election committee meeting and stated that its first list of candidates would be announced on Tuesday.

On its part, the Congress with its eyes on grabbing the BBMP Council from the BJP, held a meeting to shortlist candidates for wards in Rajajinagar Assembly constituency. The BBMP polls are scheduled to be held on August 22.

Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy went ballistic at a party convention held at Kengeri. He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of being involved in the Arkavathi Layout denotification scam and coming into an understanding with Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao to evade cases filed against him.

He said developmental works in the City had come to a standstill due to differences between city In-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa. He also accused top leaders in the Congress of being involved in grabbing of lake beds in and around City.

The BJP will announce its first list of about 100 candidates for the BBMP polls on Tuesday. A decision to this effect was taken at an election committee meeting of the party.
 Former deputy chief minister R Ashoka has been made the election in-charge by the party. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, party State president Pralhad Joshi said leaders at the “mandal” level will shortlist the candidates for the polls and send it to the State unit, which will finalise the names. 

Joshi said the BJP will go it alone in all the 198-wards and ruled out any alliance with the JD(S). Ashoka said the BJP will come out with its manifesto for the BBMP polls on August 11.

Aspirants galore in Cong

Being the ruling party in the State, the Congress has the highest number of aspirants to deal with. The party has received 1,300 applications from aspirants which is being shortlisted by a screening committee.

One such scrutiny process was held on Sunday. Energy Minister D K Shivakumar, who is the election in-charge of the seven BBMP wards coming under Rajajinagar Assembly constituency, held discussion with local leaders.

AICC General Secretary B K Hariprasad held a meeting to discuss the party’s strategy for the polls.