Bengaluru: With the govt promising to notifying seat reservation for zilla and taluk panchayat elections by the end of May — which makes elections to these local bodies likely this year — the alliance between BJP and JD(S) is at a crossroads.
Large sections of the rank and file in both parties are not in favour of a pact for the elections and party brass too seem inclined to go it alone. Seniors of the two parties plan to meet later this week, and indications suggest the allies are likely to engage in a “friendly fight”.
“The alliance was specifically meant for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, but there were also talks on a coalition for local body polls,” said N Ravikumar, senior functionary and BJP chief whip in the legislative council. “There are many aspirants for tickets in both parties which is why cadres naturally are against an alliance. Brass of both parties will soon meet to lay down a strategy.”
ZP and TP elections are significant since they cover the entire state and are seen as a ‘semifinal’ to assembly elections. Manor parties leverage these polls to assess their standings and prepare accordingly for assembly elections. Polls are due to 32 zilla panchayats and 239 taluk panchayats.
Both BJP and JD(S) are focusing on strengthening their support base and prefer to face the next assembly polls independently. Interestingly, a churn at the helm is on in both parties as they seek revival after being decimated by Congress in the 2023 assembly elections. While supporters are hoping BY Vijayendra continues as BJP state president, Nikhil Kumaraswamy is likely to take over as the state chief from his father and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy.
“For now, we are focusing on party restructuring through organisational polls,” said Nikhil. “We just completed a membership drive. As for taking over as state president, I leave the decision to party seniors.”
ZP-TP polls were due in 2021 but were delayed for various reasons, including the pandemic. The govt’s move to strip Karnataka State Election Commission (SEC) of the power of delimitation and set up a panel to decide on the issue further pushed back polls. The govt has dragged its feet on delimitation and reservation, but with it now committing to the high court that it will notify reservation of constituencies before May 31, polls are imminent.
“We hope the govt will deliver on notifying reservations within the deadline. If it fails again, then we will submit a memo to the court, seeking restoration of the contempt suit,” said GS Sangreshi, commissioner, SEC.