Belagavi: BJP emerges on top, Cong honchos hold sway

BJP topped the tally by winning 104 seats in the urban local body (ULB) elections held in 343 wards of the 14 ULBs of Belagavi district.

Congress came second with 85 seats and JD(S) trailed behind with 10 seats. As many as 144 independents were elected.

It may be recalled that two City Municipal Councils (CMC), two Town Panchayats (TPs) and other Town Municipal Council (TMC) in Belagavi district went to polls on August 31.

BJP bastions hit

This year's ULB polls in the district were perceived as a platform for local leaders and incumbent ministers to prove their influence over the electorate in their constituencies before the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

While Congress leaders have performed well in that task, the influence of BJP leaders seems to have waned in Kudachi, Raibag, Hukkeri civic bodies which are traditionally BJP strongholds.

Jarkiholi proves his might

In Gokak CMC, District In-charge Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi's candidates swept the polls. Out of a total of 31 wards, Jarkiholi supporters have won in 30 wards as independent candidates. Meanwhile, BJP won only one seat. Six Jarkiholi supporters got elected unopposed.

In Nippani CMC, Congress won 12 wards, BJP -13 wards and six independents romped home victorious. Nippani CMC might end up a hung house with Congress retaining power; albeit with the support of the six independents.

Independents rule roost

In Khanapur TP (total 20 seats); independents supporting Congress won in four wards. Independents supporting BJP won in five wards. JD(S) won three seats and independents supporting Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) won in eight wards.

Raibag

The leadership of Ramesh Jarkiholi, MLC Vivekrao Patil has prevailed in the 19-member Raibag TP, 11 Congress candidates and eight BJP candidates won and Congress retains power.

Cong has the upper hand

Congress will have the upper hand in the 23-member Konnur TMC as Jarkiholi supporters have won in a majority.

However, in Chikkodi-Sadalga Assembly Constituency represented by MP Prakash Hukkeri and his son MLA Ganesh Jarkiholi, Congress suffered a serious setback.

In Chikkodi TMC (having 23 seats) independents supporting BJP have won 13 seats. Congress has 10.

In the 23-member Sadalga TMC, independents supporting BJP won in 13 wards. Independents supporting Congress won in eight wards and two JD(S) supporters also won.