BENGALURU: The BJP, which emerged as single largest party in Assembly polls earlier this year, finished second in elections to urban local bodies (ULBs), and evidently lost ground in Mumbai-Karnataka region, its stronghold, on Monday. The party finished second after the Congress in terms of victory in number of wards, winning 875 out of 2632 wards spread across 22 districts. The party’s performance in coastal districts was on expected lines but it made up for the losses in Mumbai-Karnataka region with impressive wins in Yadgir and Kalaburgi local bodies.
In Old Mysuru region, the party made inroads in Hassan city municipal corporation, winning 13 wards as against 17 by JD (S) and two of Congress. In Assembly polls held in May, the party won Hassan Assembly constituency and therefore extended its winning spree to ULB polls as well. In his first reaction to the media, state unit president B .S. Yeddyurappa maintained that today’s results were on expected lines and therefore not a referendum on performance of the coalition government. He expressed confidence that his party would win 22 to 25 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in next year’s polls as the forthcoming elections would be fought on different issues and achievements of the BJP-led NDA government in New Delhi. Subsequently, Mr Yeddyurappa remarked: “We have substantially increased our tally in hundreds of urban local bodies across the state. This is proof of BJP continuing to enjoy the support and confidence of people”, but also criticized the coalition government for alleged misuse of official machinery and money power to win the polls.
The former chief minister also mentioned his party’s victory in Shivamogga city corporation and emerged and the fact that it emerged as single largest party in Mysuru and Tumakuru city corporations. Senior leader K.S.Eshwarappa said was thrilled with party’s impressive performance in Shivamogga city corporation while former deputy chief minister R. Ashok said urban voters have rejected the coalition partners for their ‘unholy’ alliance.
