GBA elections trigger ward-sharing tension between BJP and JD(S) in Bengaluru

JD(S) demand for 120 wards puts NDA alliance under strain ahead of Supreme Court-mandated polls

The Supreme Court has directed that elections to all five municipal corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) be conducted by June 30 this year. Following the order, political activity in Bengaluru has picked up pace, with all three major parties gearing up for the high-stakes civic polls.

While JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has already indicated that the NDA alliance is likely to continue for the GBA elections, the seat-sharing talks have now hit a major roadblock.

As part of the GBA reorganisation, a total of 369 wards have been created across the five municipal corporations. JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda has firmly demanded that the BJP allot 120 wards to JD(S) candidates as part of the alliance arrangement.

The JD(S) leadership has expressed its intention to contest in wards falling under Assembly segments where the party traditionally has influence. These include Dasarahalli, Mahalakshmi Layout, Yeshwanthpur, Chamarajpet, and a few other constituencies. According to JD(S), these areas should be represented by its candidates in the upcoming civic elections.

Also Read:Menzies Aviation secures 15-year ground handling licence at KIA, 1,000 jobs to be created

However, Deve Gowda’s demand has not gone down well with BJP legislators in Bengaluru. At present, JD(S) does not have a single MLA among the city’s 28 Assembly constituencies, while the BJP holds 16 Assembly seats within the Bengaluru Urban district.

BJP leaders fear that conceding a large number of wards to JD(S) could directly benefit the Congress. They argue that if JD(S) candidates fail to perform well in these wards, it could weaken the BJP’s organisational presence and cost the party crucial ground at the local level.

There is also concern within the BJP that losing control over key wards may impact its prospects in the 2028 Assembly elections, as civic-level setbacks often influence larger electoral outcomes. This fear has made many BJP MLAs reluctant to agree to JD(S)’s demand.

Also Read:Koramangala Passport Seva Kendra stays: High Court rejects plea seeking demolition

Despite the resistance, JD(S) has already begun preparations. Former MLAs and ex-corporators are actively planning to contest from the 120 wards the party is seeking as part of the alliance.

As a result, the GBA elections have become a source of tension for the BJP, with ward-sharing emerging as the biggest challenge for sustaining the BJP-JD(S) alliance.