Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Sep 4: The results of 105 Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections, which is considered as the trendsetter for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections and also the acid test for the ruling coalition government of JD (S) and Congress, are out and Congress has won in numbers game though BJP gave a stiff fight. JD (S), though relegated to the third spot, has widened its base.
Top leaders from all three political parties have expressed happiness on the results.
H D Kumaraswamy, Siddaramaiah and Yeddyurappa
Expressing his views on the outcome of ULB elections, Siddaramaiah, leader of the Congress legislature party said, "Congress has bagged the most number of seats in the ULB elections held in the state. The reason for this is the faith of the people at our party. This means that the people are supporting the achievements of the government. The role of local bodies is of prime importance in making the facilities of the government reach the people. Let us all manage this responsibility with honesty."
Giving his opinion on the results of ULB elections, H D Kumaraswamy, chief minister of the state said, "When we see the mandate given in the ULB elections, it is clear that the people of the state have expressed their whole-hearted support to the coalition government of Congress and JD (S). In ULBs where there is no clear mandate, Congress and JD (S) will hold power by getting into an alliance. There is no difference in the stand of JD (S) with respect to the alliance with Congress in the state of Karnataka. The coalition government will complete five years without any hiccups."
B S Yeddyurappa, president of state BJP, expressing his views on the ULB elections said, "BJP had expected a better result in the ULB elections held in the state. However, our achievement is good. The achievement of BJP in spite of the coalition government of Congress and JD (S) in the state is commendable. BJP has increased its strength in areas which were considered as the fortress of Congress and JD (S). The bagging of 13 seats in the Hassan CMC is a witness to this fact. In certain places we have lost by a very slight margin. There is no people support for the coalition government of Congress and JD (S)."
As per the present status, Congress will hold power in 31, BJP in 27 and JD (S) in 12 ULBs directly. In 30 ULBs the public has given a fractured mandate and there is no clear winner. In Belagavi 5 ULBs have gone in favour of the independent candidates. Accordingly, the coalition government will hold power in 43 ULBs and the fate of 30 ULBs where there is no clear mandate needs to be seen.
The elections were held in 22 districts including the elections for city corporations of Mysuru, Shivamogga and Tumkur. In total elections were held for three city corporations, 29 city municipal councils (CMC), 53 town municipal councils (TMC) and 20 town panchayats (TP). Out of the total 2662 wards for which the elections were held, Congress got the highest seats with 982, followed by BJP 929, JD (S) 375, BSP 13, Independents 329 and others bagged 34 seats.