Karnataka - Mangalore   

Number of MPs, legislators to play crucial role in MCC

MANGALORE: Unlike other elections, majority in the coming elections to urban local bodies does not mean merely getting one seat more than half of the total seats, as far as Mangalore City Corporation is concerned. The Congress will be required to win in at least 33 wards to regain their position on treasury benches. The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should capture at least 29 wards to seize the power. Although the corporation has 60 wards, its council will have eight more seats because members of the Assembly and Parliament elected from the area will form a part of it. MLCs, Rajya Sabha members, and nominated MLCs might also become a part of it only if they happen to be voters in the corporation limits. Thus, the council will be a 68-member House, and the number is subject to change, once the delimitation of Assembly constituencies came into force.

Any party that will have 35 seats, including the legislators, will get to rule the council.

The Congress which has one MLC, Blasius D’Souza, and an MLA, U.T. Khader (Ullal), who can vote, will reach the magic figure of 35 if they win in 33 wards. Its MP B. Janardhana Poojary, however, is not a part of it as he is not a voter in the MCC limits.

The BJP has six members already. They are: D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Mangalore MP; Manorama Madhwaraj, Udupi MP; N. Yogish Bhat, Mangalore MLA; J. Krishna Palemar, Surathkal MLA; B. Nagaraja Shetty, Bantwal MLA, and Ganesh Karnik MLC, (representing South-West Teachers’ Constituency). If both parties fail to secure the prescribed minimum number of seats in the council, independent councillors are expected to play a crucial role.

If the Janata Dal (Secular) manages to open its account this time, it will play a key-role.

The Congress is contesting in 59 wards. In Panjimogaru (ward 12), it is supporting the Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate B.K. Krishnappa.

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