Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkaballapur (SP)

Chikkaballapur, Oct 31: For the first time ever, the BJP succeeded in rising to power in Chikkaballapur municipal council.

In the 31-member council, Congress has 16 members, BJP has nine, JD(S) 2 and four independents. Congress had planned to rise to power with the help of two JD(S) councillors. In this complicated situation, minister Sudhakar, played a trick that totally floored the Congress plans.

BJP-supported independent candidate from the 23rd ward of the municipality, D S Anand Reddy, was elected as the president while JD(S) candidate from 25th ward, Veena Ramu, was elected as vice president. Both were elected unopposed. In a surprising development, when filing nomination, both the JD(S) councillors accompanied the BJP councillors. Three members of the Congress stayed away from the election process citing health problems and other issues. Moreover, at the time of voting, four Congress supported members raised their hands in support of the BJP, thus indulging in cross-voting.

MLA and minister Dr K Sudhakar, MP B N Bache Gowda and member of the legislative council Y A Narayanasway too cast their votes for the BJP, thus helping the party to rise to power with a huge margin.