Going by the outcome of elections to the urban local bodies, the Congress suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of its adversaries - JD (S) and BJP- in this Congress stronghold.

KPCC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Opposition leader in the assembly Dharam Singh have been made to eat humble pie in their own backyards - Gurmitkal and Jewargi town panchayats.

While Gurmitkal TP, the assembly constituency head of Kharge, has been bagged by JD (S) with a clear majority, the Jewargi TP, part of Dharam’s constituency, has thrown up a hung house. Jewargi result is more significant in the present coalition era as JD (S) and BJP had a seat adjustment and it worked well for the partners.

Of the 17 seats in Gurmitkal TP, JD (S) bagged 11, while Congress emerged a poor second bagging only four wards, leaving one each to BJP and independent.

In the 20-member Jewargi TP, Congress emerged the single largest party by bagging eight seats followed by JD S-6, BJP-5 and independent-1.

The results are largely seen as the waning influence of the two leaders, who jointly hold the record of entering the assembly eight times in a row from their respective constituencies since 1972.

The party also suffered a reversal in Sedam TMC, a part of Sedam constituency, held by Congress MLA Dr Sharanprakash Patil. Though Congress emerged as the single largest party here with eight seats, it is nowhere near staking claim for power. BJP is a close second with 7 seats followed by JD (S) six and independents 2.
Of the 12 ULBs in the district, Congress has managed to secure majority only in two, while the rest have either gone to JD (S) or thrown up hung houses.

Setback for JD (S)
JD (S) suffered a jolt in Aland, mainly due to sitting JD (S) MLA B R Patil, who has been suspended from JD (S). He ensured clear majority for the Congress.

Minister Sharanabasappa Darshanapur has a reason to smile as his party put up an impressive show by securing majority in four and being in a position of strength in three ULBs.