Cong, BJP join hands to keep MES out

The Congress and BJP are always known to go for each other’s jugular. But it was a different scene at the Belgaum Taluk Panchayat (TP) on Friday.

The two parties joined hands to ensure the defeat of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), known for its anti-Karnataka stance, in the elections to the posts of president and vice-president.

The Congress-supported candidate Mallavva Yallappa Budari got elected as the president, while the BJP-backed candidate Yallappa Mallu Gawade got elected as vice-president.

In the 40-member House, factions of MES have the highest number of 15 seats, while the BJP and Congress have 14 and 8 seats, respectively. Three members are independents.

During the last term, the BJP and the MES had joined hands to grab power in the local body.
Following the election, the workers of the two parties celebrated together. Their flags were hoisted side by side atop the TP office.