The Hindu : National : Mayoral poll may throw up new alliances

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Tuesday, Feb 08, 2005

National

National

Mayoral poll may throw up new alliances

By Our Staff Reporter

JAMMU, FEB. 7. The race between political parties for the Mayor's post in the Jammu Municipal Corporation may lead to new alliances in the State. With a split verdict in the municipal elections, parties seem to be ready for a limited patch-up with their arch rivals to capture power.

Of the 71 wards, the Congress won 27 and its State ally, the People's Democratic Party, two. The BJP got 25 and its ally, the Shiv Sena, one. The Bahujan Samaj Party also opened its account winning in one ward. This has brought into picture the National Conference which has won six seats and whose support is now crucial to bag the Mayor's post. Though there are nine independents, both the BJP and the Congress feel that the support of the National Conference will give stability.

Bid for NC support

The State BJP president, Nirmal Singh, told reporters that his party had no objection in taking the NC support despite the differences on some issues. While the main political plank of the State BJP has been the abrogation of Article 370, which accords special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the NC is for greater autonomy.

Congress dilemma

So far, the NC has not revealed its cards. But the party president, Omar Abdullah, has dropped enough hints that the party would prefer to align with the Congress than the BJP. But this would not be without conditions. In return, the NC would like to have the Deputy Mayor's post. If this happens, it would be the first Congress-NC alliance at any level after the 1986 Rajiv-Farooq accord.

The Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader, Mangat Ram Sharma, said: "There is no doubt that we have to take support to keep the BJP out. But as this is a tricky situation, we have to consult the party high command on this issue."

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