Stephen Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)
Kasargod, Nov 7: The results of the elections held to local bodies in the district was out on Saturday November 7. Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has gained the upper hand in the election held to the zilla panchayat (ZP) and has also has proved its supremacy in gram panchayats (GP). By annexing two block panchayats and a municipality in the district, Congress has consolidated its position further. The polling was held on November 2.
CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has risen to position of power in two municipalities and four block panchayats. But it lost power in the ZP where it was the ruling party last time.
BJP has reasons to celebrate as it has bagged power in two GPs by getting clear majority. In three other GPs, it also happens to be the largest party.
In the zilla panchayat, Congress party has emerged as the largest constituent of UDF. UDF won eight of the ZP wards, while LDF had to be satisfied with seven. In the previous election, LDF had bagged power in the ZP by securing nine wards.
In the zilla panchayat, BJP has succeeded in increasing its previous tally of one by getting two wards in this election. From the UDF, Congress and Muslim League have won in four wards each. UDF candidates won in Kumble, Manjeshwar, Varkady, Uduma, Pilikkod, Chengala, Chittarikal,and Civil Station wards.
The LDF tasted victory in Bedadka, Cheruvathur, Delampady, Kallar,Karindala, Madikai and Periya wards. BJP won from Yedaneeru and Puttige wards. While BJP succeeded in retaining Yedaneeru seat it had won last time, it has wrested Puttige from the hands of LDF.
CPM snatched away Kallar constituency from the Congress with a margin of 1050 votes. Shantamma Philip from the Congress brought this victory to her party in Chittarikal. In Yedaneeru, K Srikant of BJP defeated Mahin Kelot of UDF by a margin of 198 votes.
In Varkady, the election had kicked up considerable interest. Young leader, Harshad Varkady won by a margin of 2,000 votes here in spite of the fact that BJP district president, Suresh Kumar Shetty, CPI district leader, B V Rajan, and a Congress rebel candidate were in the fray.
Out of six block panchayats which went to the polls, four went to the LDF, leaving the remaining two to the Congress. In the last election, both the fronts had fought equally,winning three block panchayats each. UDF has fared poorer this time as far as municipality results are concerned. Out of three municipalities, it could come out victorious only in Kasargod. LDF wrested Kahangad from UDF and retained Nileshwar municipality.
Out of 38 gram panchayats, Congress won in most of them. Chemnad, Chengala, Mangalpady, Bedadka, Kallar, Kumbdaje, Kumble, Meenja, Padanna, Varkady and Mogralputtur voters elected Congress nominees.LDF has secured majority in Delampady, Ajanur, Keyyoor, Kinnanoor, Karindala, Kutikkol,Madikai, Pallikere, Pilikkod and some others. BJP, which had won in three GPs last time, has bright prospects of enjoying power in over five GPs this time. It has clear majority in Madhur and Bellur GPs and also happens to be the party with largest elected candidates in three other GPs. In Enmakaje, none of the parties have got majority, as UDF and BJP have got five seats each, leaving the other three to LDF. In Paivalike gram panchyayat, BJP has secured eight seats, seven seats have gone to LDF, and UDF has got four
.
In Kasargod municipality, although UDF has retained power, its tally has come down to 20 from 23. BJP has improved its performance by getting 16 seats as against previous 12. Three independents, one LDF candidate, and three UDF rebels have also been declared elected in this municipality. Out of 38 seats, UDF has got 20, BJP 16, independents 3, and LDF 1.
In Kanhangad, out of 43 seats, LDF got 23, UDF got 13, BJP 5 and independents 2. In Nileshwar, LDF got 19 of the 32 seats, while the remaining 13 went to UDF.
Out of the block panchayats, Manjeshwarand Kasargod block panchayats favoured UDF candidates, while Karadka, Parappa, Kanhangad and Nileshwar have been bagged by the LDF.
In Manjeshwar, BJP candidate from Ayyarkatte, Manjunath, who had died of cardiac arrest just three days before the declaration of the result, has been found to have won by a margin of 29 votes. In Machchampady seat in Manjeshwar, both UDF and SDPI candidates secured 456 votes each. In the draw of lots conducted to decide the winner, lady luck smiled on SDPI candidate.