Mayoral poll: BJP core panel to decide on tie-up with Janata Dal (S)

BJP State president B S Yeddyurappa on Sunday said the decision on whether to have a tie-up with the Janata Dal(S) in the election to the post of Bengaluru Mayor will be taken at the core committee meeting of party scheduled for Tuesday.

The BJP leaders are divided on having a tie-up with the JD(S), with some favouring an alliance. The BJP lost the post of mayor by a whisker in 2015. Hence, the party has to take steps carefully.

The core committee members will weigh all options and take a proper decision, Yeddyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru.

On the other hand, JD(S) rebel MLA B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan said that the alliance between the Congress and the JD(S) in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) should continue for the next four years. The JD(S) leaders had agreed to support the Congress in the BBMP for five years, he added.

I am neutral: Zameer
Khan, however, said he has now become neutral as far as ensuring the continuation of the tie-up between the two parties. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has been entrusted with the responsibility of holding talks with the JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda in this regard, he added.