Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Sep 7: Ullal town municipal council faces uncertainty as no political party could secure a clear majority in the recently held ULB election. Ullal being the home constituency of minister U T Khader and as Congress was the ruling party in the recent past, it is learnt that Congress leaders are beckoning victorious candidates of JD (S) and independents.

As many as 102 candidates had contested for 31 municipal council seats in Ullal. Out of which, Congress has won 13 seats, SDPI 6, BJP 6, JDS 4 and independents have won two seats. This is the first time that Ullal town municipal council is facing this situation. As it is the hometown of minister U T Khader and also prestigious council, Congress had to inevitably invite JD (S) candidates and independents. Winning JD (S) candidates Khaleel, Basheer and Jabbar have said that Congress leaders met them in their residences. However, JD (S) candidates have ruled out any leaning towards the Congress party.

Meanwhile, the picture of independent candidate Abdul Aziz, who won from Kodi, standing next to taluk panchayat president Mohammed Monu Malara and Congress activists had gone viral on social media. Because the photo has gone viral on social media, the news that the independent candidate has joined Congress had spread. However, Abdul Aziz, in his clarification said that Fairoz Kodi who had lost as Congress candidate had persuaded him to accompany him for a cup of tea and clicked his pictures with Mangaluru taluk panchayat president Mohammed Monu and Dakshina Kannada district congress minority unit president N S Karim without his consent. “Besides that, they have spread a rumor that I have joined the Congress party. I have not joined Congress,” said independent candidate Abdul Aziz.

Azis further clarified his stand and said “If at all I join any party, I will hold prior discussion and obtain opinions of U K Khalid, Farook Kodi, Tahsin Thota, Mohammed Rafik, Abdurrauf, Ismael Kodi, Habib Kotepura, Ibrahim Thota Addaka and activists who have helped me to win the elections.”

Another independent candidate Mushtak Patla had contested and won from 19th ward Babbukatte. But the brothers of Congress candidate Usman Kallapu who were disappointed because of his loss in the elections had damaged a shop of a person who had supported Mushtak. Therefore, the possibility of Mushtak supporting the Congress party is very remote.

The coalition of BJP, SDPI, and JD (S) is not possible. Minister U T Khader in a news conference in Mangaluru had ruled out an alliance between SDPI and Congress. Therefore, the coalition of Congress and JD (S) in the Ullal town municipal council, like in the state is certain. However, Congress activists will not be able to digest the fact that the Congress is pulling back Dinaker Ullal and U H Faruk, who had once deserted Congress and joined JD (S). However, the coalition cannot be ruled out if the post of president is given to JD (S).

The aspirants from JD (S), Dinaker Ullal and Faruk U H and from the Congress Chitra Chandrakanth and Ayub Ullal are in the race for the position of president if Congress-JD (S) coalition comes to power in Ullal.