Bangalore, Jul 10: In a swift political development on Wednesday, the Janata Dal (Secular) joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party and succeeded in grabbing the post of Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council.
On learning that the JD (S) was trying to dislodge both the Chairman and Deputy Chairperson with the support of the Congress, BJP leaders swung into action and after hectic parleys, the JD (S) agreed to take the Deputy Chairperson's post and allow D.H. Shankaramurthy to continue as the Chairman.
With the retirement of eight members, the strength of the BJP is now reduced to 31. The BJP could retain the post of chairman by taking the support of 12 JD (S) members. But the Congress has only 28 members and the rest (four) are Independents.
With senior party leader Basavaraj Horatti refusing to take up the post, three-time member Puttanna was the natural choice of JD (S) for the Deputy Chairman's post.
In an ironic reversal, Mr. Puttanna, who was Deputy Speaker, was removed from his post through a resolution passed in 2011 and Vimala Gowda occupied the post. Now, Ms. Vimala Gowda had to vacate the post to accommodate Mr. Puttanna again.
BJP leaders K.S. Eshwarappa and Jagadish Shettar, and JD (S) leaders H.D. Kumaraswamy, Basavaraj Horatti and N. Chaluvarayaswamy held meetings on entering into an understanding based on “mutual” cooperation.
It is said that the BJP State president Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananthakumar also held talks with JD (S) president H.D. Deve Gowda in Delhi.
“[State] party chief Pralhad Joshi requested me to cooperate in the interest of the party,” Ms. Vimala Gowda said.
Earlier, the Congress was keen on grabbing the post of chairman and leaving the Deputy Chairperson's post to the JD (S). A senior JD (S) leader on condition of anonymity said that the Congress failed to make the right move at the right time and the BJP grabbed the opportunity to save Mr. Shankaramurthy's post.
It was financial dealing in the new formula'
Outgoing deputy chairman in the legislative council Vimala Gowda on Wednesday alleged that she is being eased out because JD(S) struck a "financial deal" to facilitate the continuation of DH Shankaramurthy as chairman of the Upper House in return of deputy chairman's post.
A miffed Gowda said "JD(S) is known for striking murky deals, the party cannot be trusted at all. I suspect financial dealing in the new formula."
She made this allegation after the state BJP president Prahald Joshi asked to tender resignation to her post to pave way for JD(S) candidate according to the agreement. In a sudden development, both BJP and JD(S) on Tuesday evening struck a deal to keep Congress at bay.
Gowda also accused Shankaramurthy of unseating her to save his post. "Why should a woman be made a scapegoat. Shanakaramurthy could have considered to resign to pave way for my continuation in the post," she added.
She said the BJP higher ups has assured her to elevate her as chairperson, while Shankaramurthy's name was considered for governor's post.
The Congress has increased its numbers in the council after elections to the Upper House last month. Of the total 75 member strength, Congress has 28, BJP has 30 and JD(S) has 10 members. Three independents - BS Suresh, G Raghu Achar and MD Lakshminarayana - have pledged their support to the Congress. It means, the Congress will increase its tally to 31.
Sensing danger of losing chairman's post, BJP struck "give-and-take" deal with JD(S).
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