Mayoral polls today: JD(S), BJP combine set for third term

The ruling partners in Mysore City Corporation (MCC), JD (S) and BJP, are expected to continue with their alliance during the elections to mayor and deputy mayor posts on Friday.

According to the reservation list announced by the Urban Development Department, the mayor’s post is reserved for Backward Classes and Minorities (A) candidate and deputy mayor for General (woman).

B M Nataraj and Ramesh from JD(S) have emerged as strong contenders for mayorship while G H Vanita from BJP has set her eyes on the deputy mayor’s seat.

According to the understanding, the regional party has been getting the first citizen’s position, while its partner is restricted to deputy mayor’s office. Ever since the current council came into existence in 2013, both the parties have been holding the reins in agreement. They are set for a consecutive third term.

Meanwhile, Congress, the principal opposition party in the council, is expected to continue in the opposition benches.

In the 65-member council, Congress has the highest of 21 corporators, followed by 20 of JD(S) and 13 of BJP. Independents form seven corporators, followed by two from Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), one each from BSR Congress party and Karnataka Janata Party (KJP). Both BSR Congress party and KJP cease to exist, while its corporators supported Congress and BJP respectively in the previous mayoral elections.

With MP, MLAs and MLCs from the city totalling nine — also having voting rights in the polls — the total number of voters will be 74. The lone MP from Mysuru and Kodagu is Prathap Simha from BJP and MLC Madhusudhan from the same party, followed by Congress — M K Somashekhar, Vasu and Tanveer Sait — and MLC R Dharmasena. From JD(S), Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Mar ithibbegowda, MLC Sandesh Nagaraj and Cha mundeshwari MLA G T Devegowda are on the electoral rolls.

Chamarajanagar Deputy Commissioner A M Kunjappa, who holds additional charge as Regional Commissioner, is the returning officer for the polls. The election process will start with the candidates filing their nomination papers from 7.30 am up to 9.30 am.

The election will be conducted from 11.30 am at Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Hall in the MCC main building.