Hassan: While the Congress and Janata Dal Secular JD(S) are pitted against each other in most of the constituencies here, it is believed the latter party could win about 25 seats to retain power in Hassan Zilla Panchayat.
The Congress had won only two seats in the previous election to the Hassan ZP and the BJP, five. The JDS which had a tally of 33 in the last elected body, could see its seats slip to 25, but still retain power in the ZP, believe observers. The suspense will of course end on Tuesday when votes will be counted for the elections held on February 20.
The JDS is said to have the upperhand in its stronghold of Holenarsipur, While it could win the Halekote, Niduvani and Mudalahippe seats, Hallimysore could go to the Congress.
But the party has a tough challenge on its hands for the seven ZP seats in Shravanabelagola assembly constituency. It could be anybody’s game here, according to observers.
In Arasikere, the JDS, Congress and BJP are locked in a triangular fight for four seats while the Congress and JDS are neck- to- neck in the contest for three other seats. In Arkalugud, the JDS is expected to win in Mallipatna and Konanur and the Congress in Ramanathapura and Doddamagge, while the BJP is said to have a winning chance in Kasaba.
Although the Congress has an MLA in Belur, the party could suffer in the contest for four ZP seats owing to infighting among its workers over ticket distribution. Some of its workers are also said to unhappy with the district party leaders over the MLA, Rudresh Gowda being sidelined in the run-up to the elections. In Sakleshpur taluk , the JDS is expected to win Belagodu and Yeslur and a close finish is expected between the party and Congress in Hanabal.
