Karnataka - Bellary   

Congress worsted in Bellary city

BELLARY: The Congress suffered a major setback in the elections to the urban local bodies in Bellary district, particularly in Bellary city.

The party, which had a firm base in the city and ruled the corporation for several years, could not win even a one seat in the 35-member council.

This was the situation even after all its leaders in the city closed ranks and fielded consensus candidates. The party also had tie-ups with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Communist Party of India (CPI) and was working hard to do well in the polls.

But the outcome of the poll results in Bellary showed that the situation was going from bad to worse, especially in Bellary city and Bellary taluk.

Elsewhere in the district, the performance of the Congress, which held the reins of administration in seven civic bodies, was better.

However, with the BJP emerging stronger and winning more number of seats, the Congress will not be able to control the two town panchayats in Tekkalakote and Kottur.

The Congress, however, got a clear majority in Kamapalur and Kudligi Town Panchayats and is in a position to retain control of Hospet City Municipal Council and Sirguppa Town Municipality with the support of the Janata Dal (S) where it emerged as the single largest party.

The Janata Dal (S), on the other hand, retained control of the Hadagali and Sandur Town Municipalities. In Hadagali, it was a clean sweep when it bagged 22 out of the total 23 seats. In Sandur too, the party won 18 out of the total 23 seats.

The party, with the support of the Congress, might gain control of the Kampli Town Municipality.

The BJP, which retained control of the Bellary City Corporation, swept the polls in Bellary and got a clear majority in two more urban civic bodies Tekkalakote and Kottur.

Of the total 246 seats in 10 civic bodies in the district, the highest number of seats was bagged by BJP (88), followed by Janata Dal (S) with 72 and Congress (67). The BSP secured 3, the Samajwadi Party 1 and Indepdendents 15.

For the first time, BSP and Samajwadi Party could open their account in Bellary and Sirguppa.

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