JOIN USWith the tentative dates announced for Taluk Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat polls, election fever has gripped the political parties in the district.
The leaders and aspirants are making brisk preparations to face the acid test. However, it is a straight fight between JD(S) and Congress in Zilla Panchayat polls, say political pundits.
While ticket aspirants have been knocking on the doors of their party leaders, the elected representatives have been holding preliminary meetings and collecting opinions. JD(S) leaders are full of enthusiasm as they have won the recently held Legislative Council election, despite simmering differences.
However, Congress leaders, who had displayed a show of unity during the MLC polls and were defeated, seem to be lacking enthusiasm. Out of 40 Zilla Panchayat seats, there are 24 JD(S) members, 14 Congress, one Independent and one Raitha Sangha member. It may be mentioned that JD(S) has been enjoying power in the zilla panchayat, since 10 years.
Mandya district is considered to be a stronghold of JD(S). Among the seven
Assembly constituencies, there are four JD(S) MLAs, two from Congress and one from Raitha Sangha. The Member of Parliament and two Members of Legislative Council are also from JD(S).
So, ticket aspirants are making a beeline to the houses of party leaders. As the JD(S) depends only on party supremo H D Deve Gowda and his son H D Kumaraswamy, there is not much differences of opinion among party leaders. Moreover, the party supremo’s decision is considered to be final.
Congress
As Congress is in power in the State, Mandya MLA Ambareesh is the district in-charge minister. Three leaders have been made chairmen of corporations and boards. However, the party is said facing lack of will.
Groupism is said to be a major setback for the Congress. There are two groups — of Ambareesh and former chief minister S M Krishna. Though the leaders are seen together during government programmes, internal bickerings still exist. There are two or three factions in the all taluks. The leaders are trying to field their supporters. This has become a challenge for the State leaders.
BJP
BJP is still trying to find a foothold in the district. Though some party representatives have won in local bodies, some are inclined to join other parties. A few leaders join the BJP, defecting from other parties during polls, but later return to their original parties.