Daijiworld Media Network - Shivamogga (SP)

Shivamogga, Oct 31: Polling for the local Lok Sabha seat is scheduled to be held on November 3. Just two days before the voting is set to begin, Congress party has reasons to celebrate as its candidate has won the zilla panchayat election.

Bheemaneri Shivappa, Congress candidate, became victorious in Avinhalli zilla panchayat constituency. He defeated BJP candidate, B T Ravi, who happens to be the nephew of former minister and BJP MLA, Hartalu Halappa, by a margin of 530 votes.

The election was held on September 29, and counting of votes was undertaken since today morning. Counting was completed in eight rounds.

This has brought a sense of elation for the coalition partners. The victory is made sweeter as the coalition will get power in the zilla panchayat where the BJP and Congress - JD(S) combine were tied at 15 seats each. Now the coalition strength in the zilla panchayat has risen to 16.