By Shekar Ajekar
Daijiworld Media Network—Moodbidri (RD/CN)
 
Moodbidri, Nov 24: Congress candidate Suresh Kotian won the by-poll held at the town council here on Monday November 23.  The by-polls for the town council were held to fill the seat left vacant by the recently deceased council member Maxim D’Souza.

The results were significant for the Congress since both JD(S) and BJP had held the reins of the town council in the past. 

The poll outcome has jeopardized the JD(S)-BJP coalition in the town administration. Both parties have enjoyed a 50-50 partnership over the past five years in the civic body. 

JD(S) candidate Bhoja Kotian held the reins of the town administration for half a term, while in this poll, the coalition of the JD(S) and BJP-nominated Chandrashekar Salian sidelined Somesh who was instrumental for the major victory in earlier civic polls. 

In this by-poll, Kotian defeated Salian by 195 votes.  The BJP and JD(S) alliance had expected that they would gain votes of independent candidate Divesh Poojary, who secured a mere three votes.

Winning candidate Kotian has served as deputy councilor in the past and contested for the second time in the by-poll.  He had also served as district president of the youth Congress.

MLA Abayachandra Jain congratulated Kotian who expressed his gratitude to civic members for electing him.
 
Kotian was taken in a victory procession with much fanfare through the city streets by a large gathering of party activists.