Cong, JD(S) strike RS election deal
After a bitterly fought election against the JD(S) in Karnataka, the Congress on Monday signed a political deal with Deve Gowda’s party for the coming Rajya Sabha and legislative council seats in the state.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: After a bitterly fought election against the JD(S) in Karnataka, the Congress on Monday signed a political deal with Deve Gowda���s party for the coming Rajya Sabha and legislative council seats in the state.
According to the agreement, the Congress will contest two Rajya Sabha seats, while JDS would contest two legislative council seats and the Congress one. Former Maharashtra governor and ex-chief minister S M Krishna and a new entrant from BJP and a big name in Bellary���s mining business, Anil Lad, have already filed their nomination papers for the RS seats.
The support of the 28 JD(S) members is required for the success of Mr Lad���s RS bid. The businessman was defeated from Bellary in the recent assembly polls by a slim margin on the Congress ticket.
Although Congress leaders here maintained that the alliance was limited to the June 26 polls, it is seen as part of a larger attempt to shore up its chances in the coming Lok Sabha polls. Although the Congress continues to be a major force in the state, a three-way split in the votes will only benefit the BJP.
Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Prithviraj Chavan, said that there would be floor co-ordination with the JD(S) in Karnataka assembly and the two parties would work out an arrangement over selection of presiding officers for the legislative council.
There is an urgency within Congress to find new partners as there are clear signs of a collapse in existing ties. The UPA in Tamil Nadu is facing serious troubles after the war of words between DMK chief M Karunanidhi and PMK supremo S Ramadoss.
The DMK has threatened to review its relations with the PMK after the Cuddalore conference of the party���s women���s wing.
In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, too, attempts have already begun to bring back the TRS into the UPA fold. The TRS, which walked out of the UPA over a separate Telangana, is learnt to be in a mood to make up with the Congress.
With film actor Chiranjeevi planning to float a political party in August, there is fear of a erosion in Congress��� support base. The film actor is learnt to be keen on doing business with the Left parties. The Congress, however, could also benefit in that it could lead to the isolation of the TDP. The TDP, as of now, is against any alliance with the BJP.
The Congress, which is marginalised in important parts of north India, has a tough task at hand in the coming months. Its anxiety to overcome its deficiencies has been prompting the party to explore ties with the SP. But the SP is still undecided on the terms of the alliance and the timing of the agreement.
Congress leaders who are counting on Ajit Singh, too, in this proposed alliance are of the view that a SP-Congress-RLD alliance could be formidable in Uttar Pradesh. But this could also see Mayawati making aggressive attempts to spoil the Congress��� chances in adjoining states.
According to the agreement, the Congress will contest two Rajya Sabha seats, while JDS would contest two legislative council seats and the Congress one. Former Maharashtra governor and ex-chief minister S M Krishna and a new entrant from BJP and a big name in Bellary���s mining business, Anil Lad, have already filed their nomination papers for the RS seats.
The support of the 28 JD(S) members is required for the success of Mr Lad���s RS bid. The businessman was defeated from Bellary in the recent assembly polls by a slim margin on the Congress ticket.
Although Congress leaders here maintained that the alliance was limited to the June 26 polls, it is seen as part of a larger attempt to shore up its chances in the coming Lok Sabha polls. Although the Congress continues to be a major force in the state, a three-way split in the votes will only benefit the BJP.
Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Prithviraj Chavan, said that there would be floor co-ordination with the JD(S) in Karnataka assembly and the two parties would work out an arrangement over selection of presiding officers for the legislative council.
There is an urgency within Congress to find new partners as there are clear signs of a collapse in existing ties. The UPA in Tamil Nadu is facing serious troubles after the war of words between DMK chief M Karunanidhi and PMK supremo S Ramadoss.
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The DMK has threatened to review its relations with the PMK after the Cuddalore conference of the party���s women���s wing.
In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, too, attempts have already begun to bring back the TRS into the UPA fold. The TRS, which walked out of the UPA over a separate Telangana, is learnt to be in a mood to make up with the Congress.
With film actor Chiranjeevi planning to float a political party in August, there is fear of a erosion in Congress��� support base. The film actor is learnt to be keen on doing business with the Left parties. The Congress, however, could also benefit in that it could lead to the isolation of the TDP. The TDP, as of now, is against any alliance with the BJP.
The Congress, which is marginalised in important parts of north India, has a tough task at hand in the coming months. Its anxiety to overcome its deficiencies has been prompting the party to explore ties with the SP. But the SP is still undecided on the terms of the alliance and the timing of the agreement.
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Congress leaders who are counting on Ajit Singh, too, in this proposed alliance are of the view that a SP-Congress-RLD alliance could be formidable in Uttar Pradesh. But this could also see Mayawati making aggressive attempts to spoil the Congress��� chances in adjoining states.
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