A special meeting of the Mysuru Zilla Panchayat that was scheduled on Tuesday to elect chairpersons to five standing committees had to be postponed for want of quorum.
The Congress, which is in the opposition, is said to have demanded that it be given two posts. However, the JD(S) and the BJP, which have an alliance in the ZP, have refused to give even a single post to the Congress.
The Congress, in turn, boycotted the elections, saying that it would mobilise the support required by the next meeting and get all the five posts.
It is not usual for an opposition party to demand chairperson posts of standing committee. The custom is that the ruling party appoints its own members as chairpersons.
The Congress enjoys the support of 37 members, including the Chief Minister, the MLAs of Mysuru city and MPs.
The JD(S) and BJP together have 37 members in the ZP. MLAs of Mysuru city enjoy voting powers in the ZP with a recent amendment, said JD(S) leader Basavanna, saying this was the reason Congress has 37 members.
Speaking to The Hindu after the meeting was adjourned, Mr. Basavanna wondered whether the Congress plans to mobilise all MPs, MLAs and the CM for the next meeting.
He accused the Congress of working to disrupt smooth functioning of the ZP as it was not ruling the body.
He also expressed confidence that the BJP-JD(S) combination would be able to foil the Congress’ plans for the next meeting.
Meanwhile, Congress sources said they would appeal to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and all the party MLAs and MPs to compulsorily attend the next meeting to ensure that Congress members are elected chairpersons.
The party is said to have demanded it be given the chairperson posts of two standing committees
