SOM
Bangalore, Oct 23: In a dramatic turn of events, the JD(S) in Mandya Municipal Council was today reduced to minority following 'Operation Kamala' carried out by Revenue Minister B. Karunakara Reddy. He managed to lure 9 of the total 21 JD(S) Councillors as well as 4 Congress and 4 Indepedent Councillors into BJP fold thus grabbing a prominent seat of power in old Mysore region.
The Councillors joined BJP at a simple ceremony at the party headquarters here today in the presence of State party President D.V. Sadanandagowda, Karunakara Reddy and former Union Minister Dhananjay Kumar. Party leader Madhu Madegowda, son of former Mandya Lok Sabha member G. Madegowda was also present.
The entry of these 17 Councillors has increased the strength of BJP to 19 from the mere two in the 34-member Council.
The BJP, which is keen on building a strong base in old Mysore region in view of the forthcoming LS polls, took advantage of the situation as JD(S) Councillors had revolted against the President Nagamma (JD-S).
The Council had 21 JD(S), six Congress, five Independent and only two BJP Councillors. Two of the five Independents were supporting JD(S) while three remained neutral.
Venkatesh (Independent), who is among those joined the BJP today, is the Vice-President of Mandya Municipality with the support of JD(S).
Led by BJP Councillor Nanju-ndappa, the Councillors were staying in a hotel near Ananda Rao Circle in Bangalore for the last three days waiting for an appointment with the Chief Minister Yeddyurappa.
As they could not meet the Chief Minister Yeddyurappa yesterday, State BJP President D.V. Sadanandagowda invited them to party headquarters today. Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa is away in Belgaum attending Kittur Utsav.
This is the second major 'Operation Kamala' in old Mysore region. It may be mentioned here that 12 members of H.D. Kote Taluk Panchayat had joined BJP during the Chief Minister's visit to Mysore on Oct. 14 in connection with birth centenary celebrations of Siddaganga Seer.
Now, the stage is set for BJP to move no confidence motion against Nagamma, the President of Mandya Muncipality.
List of Councillors, who joined BJP
JD(S): 1. Nagendra 2. Geetha Jayakumar 3. Bhagyalakshmi 4. Padmavathi 5. Kamalamma 6. Pushpavathi 7. K.L. Shankaregowda 8. Kalai Arasi 9. Bhyrappa
CONGRESS: 1. Nagamani Rajanna 2. Lokesh 3. Hosalli Boregowda 4. T. Shankaregowda
Independents: 1. Cheluvaraju 2. Kurram Pasha 3. M.L. Manjunath 4. Ramesh