Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Feb 25: "BJP party expected that they will win more than 18 zilla panchayat seats and people have not disappointed them. It was a good decision by people to show faith in them once again," said district BJP president Thingale Vikramarjuna at a press meet on Wednesday February 24 at town BJP office Kadiyali.

In total, BJP has won 20 Zilla Panchayat seats out of 26. The party lost with a narrow margin in two seats. The party got back its hold once again in Udupi and has done a hat-trick in Karkala taluk panchayat.

Because of the hard and honest work of the past candidates, BJP has got the present mandate. The past candidates have utilized funds which was granted by the government and made developmental works because of which people have once again elected them in the elections he said.

BJP had won five out of five in zilla panchayats seats in Kundapur and Karkala and 19 out of 20 in taluk panchayat seats in Karkala, 20 out of 21 in Kundapur against Congress party. They lost a seat with just 23 votes.

BJP had proved its power in Congress dominated constituency like Byndoor and Kaup even though respective Congress MLAs are in the area. BJP failed to occupy six zilla panchayat seats but the party was defeated with narrow margins in some seats, he added.

Reacting against Sorake's statement that the ruling party has worked hard for developments in two and half years, he said, "He underestimated MP Shobha Karandlaje many times and as a result BJP has shown all these mistakes and failures in front of the public."

"It would be good if Sorake examines his failure. He failed even being the district-in-charge minister. BJP is looking forward to getting his reaction on his defeat."

"All party workers of BJP have worked sincerely for the win in the zilla and taluk panchayat elections. Once again people have proved their support by voting BJP candidates."

Speaking about the Kolluru temple theft case, he said that district commissioner should directly own up the responsibility and Vinay Kumar Sorake should actively direct investigation process.

Answering to media about the speculation of rebel candidate Hegde joining BJP, he said, "Leaders at the state will take a decision as Hegde is a state level politician."

Kutyar Naveen Shetty, Mattar Rathnakar Hegde, Suresh Nayak Kuyladi, Sandhya Ramesh and others were present.