Against Congress–BJP might, smaller parties test alliance idea in GBA polls

Bengaluru: With elections to Bengaluru’s five municipal corporations approaching, quiet but sustained conversations among smaller political parties have revived an old question: can a coalition outside the Congress, BJP and JD(S) mount a credible challenge in civic polls?

Parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Karnataka Rashtra Samithi (KRS) and Uttama Prajakeeya Party have begun informal discussions to explore a broad understanding to avoid splitting votes, though no final decision has been taken by their leaderships.

If formed, this would be the first such initiative in Bengaluru, which is expected to go to polls between May 25 and June 30.

KRS president Ravi Krishna Reddy said his party, which has been campaigning against corruption and gaining traction among young voters, was in talks with like-minded outfits. “We are ready to form an alliance with parties other than the JCB (JD(S), Congress and BJP) combine,” he said. “There is a section of voters looking for honest politics, and we have already begun ground-level campaigning.”

With the number of wards increasing to 369 from 198 and five corporations replacing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), several parties believe the altered electoral landscape offers them a better chance.

For the AAP, this will be its first election to Bengaluru’s municipal bodies.

Sitaram Gundappa, working president of the AAP, said parties such as KRS and actor Upendra’s Uttama Prajakeeya Party had expressed interest in a broad alliance. “Since AAP is a national party, we will seek approval from the national leadership,” he said, adding that he personally favoured an alliance. "If not a formal one, we will explore unofficial seat adjustments to avoid vote splits."

In the 2015 BBMP polls, several smaller parties, including the BSP, CPI(M) and AIMIM, fielded candidates, but failed to make a mark, while the Congress, BJP and JD(S) contested separately. This time, the BJP and JD(S) plan to contest together, while the Congress is likely to go it alone.

Political analyst Anil Nachappa said a broad alliance could benefit smaller parties, particularly in the context of reservation and delimitation, though some may still prefer to contest independently.

Arun Prasad A, state general secretary of the BSP, said the party had no plans to join any alliance.

Srikanth Narasimhan, general secretary of the Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party (BNP), said alliances may not significantly influence local elections. “What matters most are local issues and the candidate. Beyond a strong campaign, alliances do not necessarily translate into votes,” he said, adding that the party would contest on its own.