Congress did poorly even in the assembly segments from where it had won.
Despite all out efforts by Congress government in Karnataka, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates won from 100 wards out of 198 wards for which results were declared so far. Congress had tried to postpone the elections to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Council on one or the other pretext (either delimitation of wards or trifurcation of Bengaluru). They had assigned majority of Cabinet ministers to supervise and manage the campaign for Congress candidates in the elections held on August 22. Congress has increased its tally to 76 while JD(S) succeeded in bagging 14 wards while others won from eight wards.
Though Congress has improved its tally when compared to the number of wards won in the elections held in 2010, the outcome is expected to have an impact on Siddaramaiah-led Government and also on five Cabinet ministers – Ramalinga Reddy, KJ George, Krishna Byre Gowda, Dinesh Gundu Rao and Roshan Baig.
The other interesting factor is the defeat of Congress candidates in assembly segments represented by Congress MLAs. For example, Congress candidates were defeated in Vijayanagar and Govindraja Nagar Assembly segments represented by Krishnappa and Priya Krishna. There is nothing to revel about the victory of Congress candidates in KR Puram assembly segment represented by Byrathi Basavaraj, MLA who is considered as a hardcore supporter of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Among the prominent former corporators who got defeated are Udayakumar (Congress), S Haris (BJP) and M Nagaraj (Congress). They were considered as strong contenders for the mayor’s post. The other star candidates – Vanisree Vishawanth and Shylaja – are defeated in the election despite efforts made by Vishwanath MLA from Yelahanka and Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy MLA from Pulakeshinagar. The only consolation is the victory of Hemalatha Gopalaiah from Vrushabhavathinagar ward. Hemalatha is the wife of MLA Gopalaiah from Mahalakshmipura assembly segment.
Former mayors Shantha Kumari and B S Satyanarayana won from Maruthi Mandira and Basavanagudi wards. Padmanabha Reddy, who defected from JD(S) to BJP during the last assembly elections, got elected from Kacharakanahalli ward for the fourth consecutive term.
Speaking to media persons, Dr G Parameshwar, president, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), said that voters of Benglauru have supported corruption by electing BJP candidates to the BBMP Council. “We wanted to ensure transparency in the governance and efficient administration and also make Bengaluru on par with international cities by providing the infrastructure but unfortunately the voters preferred BJP candidates. We respect their verdict,’’ Dr Parameshwar said.
When asked whether Congress would re-consider its proposal to trifurcate the BBMP, the KPCC president said that the proposal would be discussed again.
It may be recalled that State Assembly had passed a bill to trifurcate the BBMP and Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala sent the bill to President for assent. The BJP and JD(S) have opposed the trifurcation of Bengaluru and even many pro-Kannada organisations have also opposed the proposal.
Expressing gratitude to voters of Bengaluru, former home minister and MLA R Ashok, who was in-charge of selecting BJP candidates, said that BJP would work hard for the development of Bengaluru. “We are very grateful to the voters of Bengaluru. I promise that BJP corporators will not let down the voters,’’ Ashok said.
For more hyperlocal stories, visit iamin.in
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Siddaramaiah")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}