Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 14: Tiruvail ward, which had been won by an independent candidate supported by BJP in the last election, went to Congress in the bypoll held on January 10. The seat had fallen vacant after Jyoti Jayaprakash, corporator representing this ward, resigned. The constituency had been represented by independent candidates, a husband and wife duo, during the two earlier terms.

Meera Ashok, a social worker fielded by Congress, secured 1,830 votes as against the 1,367 got by Hemalata Raghu Salian of BJP. Bhavani Gangaiah Amin of CPM could muster only 367 votes, while Stella Fernandes of JDU had to be content with just 67 votes.

Out of 5,144 voters in the ward, 3,626 had cast their votes. All the votes polled were found valid. In all the six polling booths, Congress candidate maintained a comfortable lead over her BJP rival.  With this victory, the strength of Congress in city council has gone up to 21. BJP continues to enjoy formidable majority in the city corporation with 35 corporators.

Counting of votes was held in the city corporation office on Friday morning, and the process was completed within 30 minutes.  BJP, which had hoped to secure victory in the bypoll, suffered setback, while it came as a shot in the arm for Congress, which has of late not been able to cash on the political upheavals in BJP and build back its sagging image in the region.