10 December,2009 09:58 AM IST | | BV Shiva Shankar
As Congress keeps everyone guessing on whether it will go for alliance or not, BJP says it has nothing to worry
With the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) polls approaching, the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD (S) is hoping for a coalition with the Congress in order to check BJP's advances in the city. While the Congress is still dithering over the matter, the BJP says it is losing no sleep over the possibility of such an alliance taking shape.
"Whether the alliance happens or not, it is helpful for us," said R Ashok, city in-charge minister.
Sources said the BJP is hoping that the coalition will trigger a rebellion within the Congress and lead to the splitting of votes in the BJP's favour.
Meanwhile, state working president of the JD (S), H D Kumaraswamy is allegedly camping in Delhi with his father Deve Gowda and keeping in touch with senior Congress leaders including Gulam Nabi Azad for an alliance pact as they believe the alliance is necessary to check the advances of the BJP in the city. "It is very important to stop BJP because it is going on a dangerous path," said Kumaraswamy. "Corruption levels are high and law and order in the city is going for a toss under them."
However, Congress has not been very receptive to the idea and local leaders are terming the move as a bid to confuse voters and the party high command. "When we have winnable candidates for all 198 wards, where is the need for a coalition?" asked P R Ramesh, Congress leader and former mayor. "We have a different strategy to combat BJP and it is definitely not a poll partnership with JD (S)."
Added Ramchandrappa, another former mayor and Congress leader, "It is too early to talk about this as the poll dates are just announced. I think the party is able to win on its own, but it is left to the party elders to take a call."
