Race on for mayor, deputy posts
With the terms of Mayor Sharadamma R. and the Deputy Mayor S. Harish ending on April 23, hectic lobbying is on for the City’s top political posts. Of the three BJP corporators in the race, two with the backing of BJP State President K.S. Eshwarappa and home and Bengaluru in-charge minister R. Ashok are in the lead for the Mayor’s post, which is reserved for Backward Class (II A). D. Venkatesh Murthy, a three-time corporator from Kathriguppe; Basavaraj, a two-time elected representative from Banashankari Temple ward; and B. Somashekar from Shakambarinagar ward are the three names doing the rounds in political circles.
Mr Murthy represents the Kuruba community, to which Mr Eshwarappa too belongs. It is said that the BJP State President has insisted that Mr Murthy should be made the mayor. A Kuruba community pontiff too has passed a diktat backing Mr Murthy. Mr Somashekar too is a Kuruba. All the corporators from the community have banded together to get the Mayor’s post to one of their candidates, sources said.
Banashankari Temple ward corporator A.H. Basavaraj’s appointment too cannot be ruled out as he enjoys the blessings of Mr Ashok, whose diktat runs in the corporation. Over the last two years, he has ensured victory for his candiates. Both Mr S. Nataraj and Mr S. Sharadamma became mayors only because of the support of Mr Ashok.
After the death of Banashankari ward corporator Diwan Ali (JD-S), Mr Ashok ensured that his candidate Mr Basavaraj won from the ward in the by-election. Mr Ashok could also get him the Mayor’s post, the sources said. Though there is a long list of contenders for the Deputy Mayor’s post, Hampinagar ward corporator Chandrashekaraiah from the Lingayat community looks set to take the post. He is being chosen not to antagonise the Lingayat community, the sources said.
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