Political tension escalates over no-confidence motion against Hassan CMC prez

Hassan: Hectic political parleys are on in Hassan after JD(S) decided to move a privilege motion against M Chandregowda, the party's Hassan City Municipal Council (CMC) president.
A special meeting of the CMC Council is set for April 28 to vote on a no-confidence motion moved by JD(S) members against Chandregowda.
In the 35-member council, JD(S) has 17 members, BJP 13, Congress two, and there are three independents. In addition, MP Shreyas Patel, MLA H P Swaroop Prakash, and legislative council member Suraj Revanna have voting powers, bringing the total number of votes to 38.
The president needs the support of a minimum of 13 members to defeat the no-confidence motion.
While Chandregowda, who represents ward 9, is trying hard to retain his position, former minister H D Revanna, Prakash, and Suraj are keen on unseating him.
"The party has 17 members, and we are confident that the BJP members will support us. Two independents are also with us. Therefore, we are confident that the no-confidence motion will go through," said a JD(S) neta.
However, support from the BJP members isn't a given and this is where simple arithmetic stands to be trumped by political chemistry, making the role of the independent members crucial.
Exuding confidence to defeat the motion, Chandregowda said: "I have good relations with all members and have developed the city going beyond party lines. Hence, I have everyone's support and will defeat the no-confidence motion."
As part of an internal arrangement within the party, Chandregowda was elected for a period of six months, which is now complete. But Chandregowda had asked the party to let him continue in the post on the pretext of having some "more time to understand the new functionary" – a request that was rejected by the party.
Although BJP and JD(S) have an alliance at the state level, Hassan BJP is yet to accept the JD(S) unit as an ally. This rift within the alliance is likely to benefit Chandregowda.