Mangalore: Will BJP retain power in City Municipal Corporation?


Mangalore: Will BJP retain power in City Municipal Corporation?

Political Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Feb 21: The elections for the seven urban local bodies (ULB’s) of Dakshina Kannada are scheduled to be held on March 7 and all the major political parties are feeling the heat of the initial trouble that affects almost all of them. In fact none of the political parties wanted the elections to the civic bodies just before the impending assembly elections, for the fear of the results having an adverse impact on the forthcoming assembly elections.

Leaders of various political parties were united in citing many reasons on the need to postpone these elections but their machinations did not work. Their contention was that if delimitation rule is to be applied based on 2011 census there would be more wards to contest. The Supreme Court held that elections should be conducted based on the parameters under which 2007 elections were held. Now these political parties have been forced to face the electorate half-heartedly.

In all, there are 189 seats to be won in the seven ULB’s namely - Mangalore City Corporation 60 wards, Puttur Town Municipality 27 wards, Moodbidri Town Municipal Council 27 wards, Ullal Town Municipal Council wards 27 wards, Bantwal Town Municipality 23 wards, Belthangady Town Panchayat 11 wards, and Sullia Town Panchayat 18 wards. While the BJP was in power in Mangalore, Puttur, Belthangady and in Bantwal (though BJP is in minority it is in power for ‘political reasons’), Congress was in power in the remaining three ULB’s. The elections to the ULB’s will be like a precursor to the assembly elections to the state which are likely to be held in May this year. Therefore, the results of these elections will have far-reaching implications for all major political parties.


Will Anti-incumbency factor work for Congress?

In Mangalore City Corporation Council there are 60 wards and Bharatiya Janata Party which had won 34 out of the 60 wards in 2007 elections and came to power for the first time ending 2 decades of Congress rule, is facing some rough feathers in this area, considered to be a stronghold of RSS-BJP. With the five-year term of the BJP coming to an end on February 20, the government has given the administration of the corporation to deputy commissioner N Prakash from today (February 21). Additional Secretary M E Shivalinga Murthy has been appointed as the observer for the elections to the Mangalore City Corporation. While the BJP had won 34 seats Congress had won 21, JD(S) and CPI (M) one seat each. Four Independents were also elected to the council and later one of them Santhosh, a Congress rebel from Panambur Bengre, had joined the BJP taking its tally to 35.

The Congress party leaders of Dakshina Kannada are trying hard to present a picture of being united forgetting all political and personal differences. However, despite their best efforts, the fight within the various leaders of the party has come out in the open. As of now, it looks the BJP is having the head start as the party has already come out with the first list of 33 candidates for contesting in Mangalore City Corporation. The Congress list is expected to be ready by tomorrow evening (February 22) as the party is still reeling under the ‘Ashraf revolt’. This open rebellion has brought to the fore the infighting within the Congress, which is yet to sink in.

Though MLA U T Khader has said that they have been able to ‘bandage the wound’, the dressing may come out any time exposing a much bigger wound which may not heal without a major surgery. Janardhana Poojary who is in charge of the Congress elections for the seven ULB’s, was taken aback by Asharaf’s accusations of he (Poojary) being anti-Muslim for excluding him from the list of candidate selection committee. Sources within the Congress say that when the committee has 13 Muslims as members, Ashraf’s accusation is baseless and there is some ulterior motive behind such open outbursts. It is a known fact that there is no love lost between Poojary and Ashraf. If the Congress is really serious about increasing its tally from the 21 it won in 2007 it has to fight as a cohesive force to face the might of the BJP which has a committed following in Mangalore.


BJP harping on Development

The BJP is the first to come out with 33 names of candidates in its first list. It has fielded only 14 candidates who were sitting councilors. Monappa Bhandary, who is in charge of the 7 ULB’s, says the party has denied tickets to some existing councilors, who ‘chose’ not to contest to make way for new faces. However, it cannot be denied that the skirmishes within the party have resulted in some of the sitting councilors being denied tickets during these elections. When asked the impact of infighting within the party in the civic elections Monappa Bhandary says “We have only differences but no infighting”.

Though BJP is putting up a brave face it is yet to come out of the bungle it had found itself in when the party failed to elect its candidate for Mayor’s post despite enjoying majority. The party had to pay a heavy price as Congress candidate Gulzar Banu was the lucky candidate to be elevated to the coveted post of Mayor. For the BJP embarrassment was too much to offer any credible defense.

The BJP in the state is in total disarray with the formation of KJP and without the support of Reddy Brothers and its impact will certainly be felt in the civic elections. The presence of JD (S) is insignificant to make any difference and even KJP may end up with one seat if Mariamma Thomas is able to pull out a victory. Nagaraja Shetty and Sadananda Shetty who have joined JD(S), may not make much of a difference to their party’s fortune in these civic elections.

The BJP is once again trying woe the voters on the developmental plank. The party is taking full credit for providing good roads, regular water and electricity supply and they also take credit for a clean Mangalore. The party has made it clear that it is seeking votes on the developmental work it has carried out in the last five years.

From 2007 to 2013, the scenario has changed drastically and one cannot say exactly at this juncture which party has the ability to come to power. In the last five years Mangalore witnessed some of the shameful incidents like the attack on places of worship, the pub and the home stay attack and there have been instances of the so called moral police taking law in their own hands.

Whether BJP’s harping on development work will work against these issues, remains to be seen.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Sudarshan, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 06 2013

    I would wish BJP lose this MCC elections,
    as they promise several things during elections, once they win, they never turn up to the people who elected them.
    They are missing since 5 years after the win. They are seen only during the elections and the Vijayostava after the Win.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • ABDUL KHADER KOTE, HANDEL, HANDEL/KSA

    Sun, Feb 24 2013

    TO CONTEST THE ELECTION, THE CANDIDATE HAS TO SPEND LAKHS OF RUPEES. IN CASE, IF HE ABLE TO WIN THE ELECTION, HOW HE WILL RECOVER THE AMOUNT WHICH HE SPENT FOR HIS ELECTION ? THEREFORE, IS IT POSSIBLE TO EXPECT ANY MEMBER WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE NATURE OF "SELFISH" ? IF SO, THEN, IT WILL BE ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • MD, Mangalore

    Sat, Feb 23 2013

    BJP was a disaster for Mangalore.Great to make promises but none met. Where are the walkaway it promised, where is the multi story carpark, what happend to carstreet flower market and bejai market development. All air. All it gave was church, Homestay n Pub attack. keep the goons out. Let Mangalore develop

    DisAgree [3] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajan D'sa, Mangalore

    Sat, Feb 23 2013

    After Mohan Padil ( Homestay attack kingpin ) was absorbed into the JDS, the JDS will bite the dust in South Kanara. Wait and watch. I do not understand how rapists / molesters can be taken into political party. This shows the character of the party itself. God help the people of Mangalore / Udupi Districts.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • David Lobo, Mangalore

    Sat, Feb 23 2013

    With Moral Policing by the Bajrang Dal / Rama Sene / HJV etc, the people of Mangalore are fed up with the actrocites on women and the youth. Certainly they will enmass not vote for the BJP.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, Kudla/Bangalore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    Maka scoolak ochak thankanage....
    kayin correspondance cource aslari sangyath...poloya....kaalek beste paise kharchu korche?Poyiri paise kharchu jatha monu hav Kodiyaal therakyi yeni...Bhandarmamak raag aila ki mon...
    Magiri kasi asath..balake nave?

    DisAgree [4] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Juliet Mascarenhas, Bejai/Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    Dear Jeevan,
    I will not be disappointed. Any party comes to power, I will remain a true citizen performing my duties and promptly paying the tax.Only pray to god to enlighten the elected to give justice to the people who elected them.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • GERALD, Modankap

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    NO ONE CAN COMPETE WITH OUR HONORABLE MADAM BHANU !! ONE OF THE BEST MAYOR !!! JAI HOOO

    DisAgree [6] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Juliet Mascarenhas, Bejai/Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    Bhandarkar Maam
    Opening Comment School? Idea is fine.
    Bethe Daala Bele Ijji.Seeing the supporters,Lavin,Stephen, Joslyn....I too am seriously thinking.You will be the first principal/HM of the school.Controlling R,D,N and J is out of my hands.Pathor marlyari? Protest munon gatikaden baslyari?
    Prabhu Maam is not interested to join the school.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, Kudla/Bangalore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    The main contenders of MCC, BJP and Cong first make list of bachchalis in their respective party and see that they are barred from contesting in the ensuing elections.Pettists should not be given ticket for contesting.This will go a long way in maintaing decency in public life.Wtll also help the party to enhance face value.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joslynn Rooswelt, Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    Juliet Mascarenhas,
    yes juliet mam... even i dont comment... let them be happy atleast for few days... lol...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Krishna, Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    BJP now and forever!!

    DisAgree [32] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'Lore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    Prabhu Maam
    Juliet Maiena Kaayeen Comment Maarna Ashee'Bumper' Maarle!'Comment School' Open Karth kee Monu? Join Jaavyaan Ve?
    Amkaa 'discount' Ditaali-Ekey Fees Geshee Naa! Thigelya Masth Asa Kasheen??

    DisAgree [7] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rakesh shetty, mangalore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    WHAT IS THIS QUESTION?

    OF COURSE BJP WILL GET POWER THIS TIME AND ALWAYS.

    PREVIOUSLY CONGIS GET CHANCE BY LUCK.SOME MIRACLE WAS HAPPENED LAST TIME. IT WONT REPEAT AGAIN.

    DisAgree [65] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mangalore/Mumbai/Mapusa

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    I don't think BJP has any candidate to match India's No. 1 Mayor Ms. Gulzar Banoo.....

    DisAgree [36] Agree [50] Reply Report Abuse

  • c ferrer, mangalore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    We have a first time Congress Councillor in our Ward. When canvassing for votes and then after she got elected she was very active and helpful to the 25 families around our area. But then after one year in the 'seat' she totally disappeared from view- all calls made to her were being switched off she wanted us to contact her so called point man who does not have a good reputation in the area. Net result for the last 3 years not a single problem has been attended to whatever has been done has been thru the Direct Complaint system of MCC and thru RTI 2005.
    Corporator missing after getting elected.
    Hope she is not going to be the candidate again as some will canvass against her.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, Kudla/Bangalore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    @Ganesh G S,Mangalore
    Vote for BJP and see Congress candidate in Mayor's seat!!!

    DisAgree [10] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ganesh.G.S, Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    No more congress in karnataka....5yrs more development in mangalore bcoz. of bjp...vote 4 bjp...jai bjp

    DisAgree [68] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • lukas, malpe

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    throw Ashraf out of congress for rebel against Janardan Poojary who is the one sincere party worker since somany years if congress didn't take any strong action in future road side D*g also bark everywhere.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [42] Reply Report Abuse

  • N V, M'LORE

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    IF BJP RETAINS POWER ONE MORE CHURCH, MOSK ATTACK FOR SURE. PARTY OF SICK SAFRONISTS !!!

    DisAgree [33] Agree [58] Reply Report Abuse

  • stephen menezes, kiram vamanjoor dubai

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    me too ....Juliet Mascarenhas

    DisAgree [3] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sushma, Bwal/Doha

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    I dont think BJP itslf kept its hope in mlore...

    DisAgree [10] Agree [56] Reply Report Abuse

  • subash Pai, Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 22 2013

    What about Ashok Kunder

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, mangalore

    Thu, Feb 21 2013

    Juliet Mascarenhas, Bejai/Mangalore

    Thanks for your concern.. but you too dont disappoint on counting day....

    DisAgree [24] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL.K.PERINJE, PERINJE-YANBU/KSA

    Thu, Feb 21 2013

    WILL BJP RETAIN MCC? A MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.
    REASONS 1) Anti-incumbent factor
    2) They could not make it to MAYORAL post even after having absolute majority which is considered to be one of the doldrums and mismanagement in the affairs of District BJP
    3)Krishana palemar is not @ his best due to Porn Film watching in House
    4) DVS sideline in BJP also has repercussion in the MCC election
    5)BSY factor also work out for some extent against BJP
    6)Too much raids against petty business,street vendors and other middle class concerns also might have adverse affect on the prospectus of BJP in MCC
    7)State BJP's manning of the affairs also has negative effects
    8)No development in the MCC for the past 5 years including basic requirements of the people like roads,drinking water etc etc...
    9)DVS BJP/ANATH KUMAR BJP/ISH BJP..to whom to vote...a confusion for BJP workers and voters.
    10)Corruptions,exodus of MLAS/Politicians/leaders to other parties coupled with wasting of time to patch up dissents with in rather than preparation for election also has a negative impact on BJP Mangalore.

    IT IS A TIME FOR A CHANGE AND CHANGE OF GUARD IN MANGALORE IMMINENT PROVIDED CONGRESS DO NOT FIGHT THEMSELVES...

    DisAgree [14] Agree [49] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lavin Noronha, Paladka/Bahrain

    Thu, Feb 21 2013

    Amen Juliet. Wanted to type but stopped seeing your comment. You have said it all. If mangaloreans are known for their intelligence, sure they have made up of their mind by now.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • Juliet Mascarenhas, Bejai/Mangalore

    Thu, Feb 21 2013

    I do not want to disappoint Rakesh, Dinesh , Nagesh and Jeevan with my comment.

    DisAgree [23] Agree [97] Reply Report Abuse


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