Congress has suffered a setback in the home turf of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge as BJP won the mayoral election of Kalaburagi Mahanagara Palike. Kharge was conspicuous by his absence in the elections though he had voting power as Rajya Sabha member.
BJP corporators Vishal Dargi and Shivanand Pisti have become mayor and deputy mayor respectively. The mayoral election was delayed since the Palike elections in September 2021 as the Congress had raised objection for the inclusion of the MLCs in the Kalaburagi electoral roll citing that these MLCs hailed from other districts though they are residents of the city.
The Kalaburagi High Court bench had also given a green signal recently for the addition of BJP MLCs to the voters' list. The Supreme Court had also refused to stay the election on Tuesday though Congress leaders made a last-ditch effort to stop it.
In all, 65 members have exercised their franchise with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, BJP MLC Laxman Savadi and JD(S) corporator Aleemuddin Patel remaining absent. Both Vishal Dargi and Shivanand Pisti have become mayor and deputy mayor respectively by securing 33 votes. The BJP wrested the power from the Congress in Kalaburagi Palike after 13 years.
(Published 23 March 2023, 13:10 IST)
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