Bengaluru, DHNS: With an eye on the 2018 Assembly elections, the JD(S) has decided to tie up with the BJP to grab power in at least six zilla panchayats. Party leaders have decided not to align with the Congress, though negotiations are on.

The government recently announced the reservation list to presidents and vice presidents of 30 ZPs.

The JD(S), which had gained a majority in only two ZPs - Hassan and Mandya - was negotiating with both the BJP and the Congress to come to power wherever it stood a chance.

However, it decided to form an alliance with the BJP in districts including Mysuru, Bengaluru Urban, Tumakuru, Kolar, Vijayapura, Raichur, Yadgir, Belagavi and Shivamogga.
Local leaders in Tumakuru, Raichur and Shivamogga were keen on tying up with the Congress.

Though the JD(S) leadership was able to convince local leaders about the party stand, in Shivamogga, leaders are still pacifying MLA Madhu Bangarappa, who has been insisting on an alliance with the Congress. Sources however said Bangarappa will be brought on board, as the JD(S)?has decided to go with the BJP everywhere else.

In Kolar and Yadgir, even if JD(S) supports BJP, there will be a draw with Congress. This will result in picking a lottery to decide the president and vice-president.

In Belagavi, the JD(S)-BJP combination can come to power if the six Independents are roped in. Efforts are being made in this direction.

HDK for RS?

It is rumoured that JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy is in the running for a Rajya Sabha seat. Sources in the party confirmed that talks in this regard with the BJP central leaders had borne fruit, paving was for Kumaraswamy’s entry into the Parliament. Recently, JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi. It is also rumoured that these talks had yielded more promising prospects for the JD(S) like a Central Cabinet berth for Kumaraswamy.

When contacted, Kumaraswamy neither admitted nor denied his possible entry to Rajya Sabha in June.