Rural voters of Mysore district have reposed greater faith in Janata Dal (S) than its main rival, the Congress, in the recent urban local body (ULB) elections. Voters from five of the seven ULBs have rejected the BJP, pushing it to the last place. Independents have fared well too.
Janata Dal (S) captured power in Bannur, Hunsur and Periyapatna town municipal councils and emerged as the single largest party in Nanjangud, K R Nagar and H D Kote. These three ULBs have given a fractured verdict giving a marginal advantage to the JD(S) over Congress where independents will have the say. The Congress has established a clear majority in only one ULB, the T Narasipur town panchayat.
Of the 139 seats in these seven ULBs, JD(S) has bagged 65 seats, 15 more than the Congress which has secured 50 seats. BJP has managed to get five seats, four in Nanjangud and one in K R Nagar and while scoring a blank in all other places.
Party position in the seven ULBs are: K R Nagar town municipal council (23 members): JD(S) 10, Congress 9, BJP 1, Independents 3. Nanjangud TMC (27): JD(S) 11, Congress 8, BJP 4, BSP 1, Independents 3. Bannur TMC (23): JD(S) 14, Congress 7, BSP 1, Independents 1. Hunsur TMC (27): JD(S) 14, Congress 9, independents 4. T Narasipur taluk panchayat (11): JD(S) 1, Congress 6, independents 4. H D Kote TP (13): JD(S) 6, Congress 5, independents 2. Periyapatna TP (15): JD(S) 9 and Congress 6.
The number of voters in the rural district is 141,977.
As already reported, though the Congress has emerged as the single largest party in the fractured verdict to the 65-member Mysore City Corporation, JD (S) has fallen short by two seats, compared to Congress. Congress has secured 22 seats, while JD(S) 20. As the two parties may not prefer BJP's alliance, they have to share power between themselves.
Otherwise, better placed Congress has to seek support of all the 11 Independents to take the strength to 33, a narrow margin of one. On the other, even if all the Independents decide to back JD(S), it will fall short of majority. Hence, Congress is is in an advantageous position than the JD(S).
The performance of the state's ruling party is so dismal that even its stronghold of Krishnaraja Assembly Constituency, represented by District incharge Minister S A Ramadas, it has fared badly, and has lost six seats, against 18 it held in the last council.
Some 26 freshers, including 11 women, are among those who have won for the first time.
The entire election process had been smooth and peaceful, without any untoward incidents. The campaign too remained low key without the generally seen blaring loudspeakers, cutouts, banners and others.
Deputy Commissioner Ramegowda said all political parties and candidates had co-operated with the administration by strictly following the election code of conduct.
