Political parties gear up for ULB polls

With the announcement of the elections to urban local bodies, all the political parties are gearing up to face the elections.

These polls are very important for the ruling BJP as it's going to be a test on its five-year performance. The opposition Congress and JD(S) are trying to make it a springboard for a final assault on the ruling party.

National parties like Congress, BJP and regional party JD(S) is making an effort to field its candidates in each ward. Even the KJP and the BSR Congress is getting ready to establish their base in the State.

Election will be held to 11 wards in Somwarpet town panchayats, 16 wards in Virajpet and 13 wards in Kushalnagar, on March 7. February 23 is the last date for filing nominations. In this background, aspirants are eager to get B form from the political parties. 

The announcement of the elections has also become a headache for the political parties. The results in the ULB polls depend on the individual capacity of the leader as well.

In the last  Urban Local Body  polls, the BJP had won 3 seats in Kushalnagar town panchayat. There are 13 wards in the TP. In Virajpet, out of 16 seats, the JD(S) had won six.

As the State Election Commission had declared elections based on the 2007 reservations, the political parties are finding it difficult to get a suitable winning candidate.

As the State Assembly elections are nearing, all the political parties are very cautious in selecting the candidates, to ensure that there was no confusion.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, district BJP unit president B D Manjunath said that a lot of aspirants have shown keen interest in contesting with the BJP ticket.

“A few wards are getting eight to 10 aspirants. We are finding it difficult to manage them.”

District Congress Committee President B T Pradeep said that a committee has been constituted to select the eligible candidates. The committee will finalise the list.

District JD(S) unit president V P Shashidhar said “we are confident of winning in Kushalnagar and Somwarpet Town panchayats. The lists of candidates will be finalised within two days.”