HASSAN: Both the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular), which controlled the Belur Taluk Panchayat in the past five years and bagged three and one seats in the zilla panchayat respectively, are making all efforts to retain their position in the ensuing zilla and taluk panchayat elections.

G.T. Indira, who represented Nagenahalli in Hassan Zilla Panchayat, enjoyed power for 40 months with the help of both the parties and B.K. Chandrakala of Bikkodu was vice-president for 20 months. While the Congress controlled the taluk panchayat for 15 months, the Janata Dal (Secular) ruled for nearly 45 months.

Though problems are plenty in the taluk, no efforts have been made to solve them, allege leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party, which is trying to establish a base in the taluk. The party is highlighting problems, including the non-implementation of the decade-old Halebeedu-Madihalli Lift Irrigation project, in its election campaign.

There are 1,20,103 voters in the constituency, including 60,054 women. There are 160 polling booths.

With the formation of Arehalli constituency, the number of zilla panchayat constituencies has increased from four to five and number of taluk panchayat constituencies has gone up to 17 from 16.

The Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) are locked in a straight fight in the taluk. However, both the parties are facing problems in their taluk units. According to sources in the Janata Dal (Secular), there are differences between local MLA H.K. Kumaraswamy and party workers. Similar is the situation in the Congress. Block Congress president B.K. Chandrakala, the former MLA D. Mallesh and the former MP Rudresh Gowda are said to be at loggerheads over issue of party tickets.

The Janata Dal (Secular) leaders claims that though the BJP is making efforts to create a base, it will be relegated to the third position. But BJP leaders claim that the differences between coalition partners will force the people to opt for their party. However, the Congress has no claims to make in the present juncture, as it is relying on the achievements of coalition Government.

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