The end of alliance between the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation council on Friday led to the leaders of both the parties blaming each other for the development.
While Janata Dal (S) leader and the former Minister Basavaraj Horatti alleged that the BJP, which had formed an alliance with them for a five-year term, had betrayed them, BJP State unit president and Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi said the terms finalised last year were valid only for a year.
Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Horatti alleged that although the Janata Dal (S) had finalised its candidate for the Deputy Mayor’s post and wanted to convey it to BJP leaders, they kept on postponing the time of the meeting.
“Finally, they failed to keep their promise and betrayed us,” he alleged.
Mr. Horatti also alleged that BJP leaders wanted the Janata Dal (S) to choose a name suggested by them for the Deputy Mayor’s post. “It’s the party’s internal decision. Who are they to dictate us who should be nominated for the post,” Mr. Horatti asked.
However, Mr. Joshi denied that they had betrayed the Janata Dal (S). “They are responsible for the break-up. Among the nine councillors there are three groups and of them two extended support to us. We wanted all of them to come together, which didn’t happen,” he said. Mr. Joshi clarified that the BJP had not asked the Janata Dal (S) to nominate any particular candidate.
Meanwhile, Janata Dal (S) sources revealed that the party was likely to issue notices to the three councillors who remained absent during the election on Friday despite a whip. While Santosh Hirekerur and Ishwar Sanikoppa have distanced themselves from the party, Khatunbi Tamatgarstayed absent reportedly because of illness.
