Mysuru: Against a backdrop of a highly vocal section within the JD(S) insisting on continuing the party’s alliance with the BJP in the Mysuru zilla panchayat , it appears as though the Congress’ efforts to stake claim to power in the local body might not be realised. After the JD(S) and Congress, which are ruling the Karnataka assembly in an alliance, decided to extend the understanding to stake power in the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Council following a fractured verdict in the elections, the Congress had hoped its alliance partner in the Vidhana Sabha might sever its ties with the BJP in the ZP, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.Senior JD(S) leaders, and Karnataka ministers SR Mahesh and GT Devegowda on Friday said that the party would continue with the BJP in the ZP since it was a pact that the two parties had agreed on prior to the assembly elections.“Members of our party in the panchayat are more inclined towards continuing the alliance with the BJP, and the leadership is apprehensive about going against their wishes. This is not a new arrangement. The ZP president Nayeema Sultana has resigned, necessitating fresh elections to the post. Well, according to the agreement, the ZP president’s post will go to the JD(S) and the BJP will get the vice-president’s post,” said Devegowda, dismissing fears of the alliance with the BJP in the ZP having any bearing on the understanding the party would have with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.Mahesh said that the JD(S) was duty-bound to honour its commitment to the BJP. “We will not enter into a new agreement with the Congress. I have spoken to Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundurao about our pact with the BJP,” Mahesh said.Former chief minister and leader of the coalition coordination committee Siddaramaiah is reportedly not too keen on the Congress taking the reins of power in the ZP. “He indicated that the Congress can work out the modalities only if the JD(S) is keen on forging an alliance. But, if the JD(S) insists on continuing its alliance with the BJP, it puts Congress in a sticky spot,” a close aide of Siddaramaiah said.While the post of the ZP president is reserved for a member from Backward Class (A) category, the vice-president’s post has been set aside for a General category member.Breakdown*49 Total strength of Mysuru ZP*25 Majority mark*21 Congress members*20 JD(S) members*Eight BJP members

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