In the elections to the three town panchayats, the BJP has found a clear majority in the Virajpet town panchayat. No political party found a clear majority in Somwarpet and Kushalnagar town panchayats.

There are 40 wards in three town panchayats in the district.  The BJP managed to secure 19 seats, while the Congress bagged 8 seats, JD(S) won 11 seats and two seats have been won by Independents.

Virajpet town panchayat has 16 wards. The BJP has won nine, Congress—2, JD(S)—4 and Independent—1.

Somwarpet town panchayat has 11 wards. Out of which, BJP—4, Congress—3, JD(S)—3, independent—1. Kushalnagar town panchayat has 13 wards. The BJP won six seats, Congress—3 and JD(S)—4.

As soon as the results were announced, there was a festive mood outside the counting centres. The party workers celebrated the victory by bursting crackers and garlanding the winning candidates.

With the EVMs used for the elections, the counting was completed in two hours and the results were announced by 10 am.

Disappointing

District in-charge minister M P Appachu Ranjan said that the BJP has found clear majority in Virajpet. “We could not reach the expected results in Kushalnagar and Somwarpet.

However, we could fetch more votes compared to last term. The BJP will act as an opposition in Somwarpet town panchayat.”

District Congress committee president B T Pradeep said: “It was true that the Congress had a set back in the district. We will accept the voter’s verdict. We will strengthen the party in the days to come.”

On the other hand, the JD(S) district unit president V P Shashidhar said: “The voters have supported us. People have shown their inclination to the JD(S).”