The results of the gram panchayat elections held recently have shown that the Janata Dal (Secular) continues to hold sway in Hassan district. Among the seven MLAs in the district, five are from the JD(S). The party holds power in zilla panchayat, almost all taluk panchayats and urban local bodies.
The total number of GP seats in Hassan is 3,589. Among them, 408 members were elected unopposed. JD(S) leaders claim that among those elected unopposed, more than 300 were from their party. In many places, the contest was among JD(S) supporters.
Congress leaders have claimed that they have won more seats this time than the previous elections held in 2010. B. Shivaram, District Congress Committee president, told The Hindu on Sunday that the party has won at least 1,191 seats in the district.
‘Improved our strength’
“We have improved our strength by almost 400 seats compared to the last elections. We have won many seats in Holenarsipur taluk, considered to be stronghold of the JD(S). Our supporters have given a tough fight and succeeded in registering a good turnout,” he said. According to Congress leaders, the party did well in Arkalgud, Belur and Sakleshpur taluks.
BJP leaders claim to have won more than 200 seats in the district. However, BJP leaders were not satisfied with the turnout.
BJP: expected better performance
They were expecting a better performance as recently the party enrolled over three lakh members to the party in the district.
Navile Annappa, BJP leader, said the party district unit will hold a meeting on Tuesday to review the party’s performance in the gram panchayat elections.
“We have done well in Sakleshpur, Belur and Arsikere taluks,” he added.
Among the seven MLAs in the district, five are from the JD(S)
