First Equation: 1549 Vie for 375 ZP, 6144 for 1728 TP Seats

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Dec 20: The equation for the first phase of the zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat polls on December 26 in Karnataka is now officially available.
 
According to information available from the State Election Commission, as many as 1549 candidates are in the fray for 375 zilla panchayat seats in 12 districts, which go to polls in the first phase on December 26.

A total of 6144 candidates are in the fray for 1728 taluk panchayat seats in 15 districts. Candidates in six TP constituencies have already been declared elected unopposed in the first phase.

The district-wise number of candidates in the fray for the ZP seats is: Bangalore Urban (103), Bangalore Rural (67), Ramanagaram (92), Chitradurga (151), Kolar (143), Chickballapur (120), Shimoga (127), Tumkur (255), Bidar (151), Bellary (126), Raichur (142) and Yadgir (72).

The Congress has fielded its candidates for 365 ZP seats, BJP – 369, JD(S) – 338, BSP – 66, CPI(M) – 17, CPI – 6, NCP – 6 and independents – 382.

The last day for withdrawal of nominations was December 18.

Of the six TP seats for which candidates have been declared elected unopposed, the ruling BJP has bagged five while the JD(S) bagged one seat.

The candidates elected unopposed from BJP are: Vasanthlaxmi (Hesaraghatta constituency in Bangalore North), M S Pavitra (Kodigehalli Bangalore North), N Jyothi (Machohalli Bangalore North), S Vanaja (Mandur, Bangalore east) and L Ambubai (Balamunde, Bangarpet). The lone JD(S) candidate to get elected unopposed is Rukmini (Kallur in Gubbi).