Congress tops Taluk and Zilla panchayat elections in Bhatkal

Febuary 23, 2016 | Correspondent | Bhatkallys News Bhatkal: Ruling Congress today edged ahead of BJP in the in Taluk and Zilla Panchayat elections in Bhatkal. Vote counting for Taluk and Zilla panchayat elections concluded today morning in which the ruling Congress managed to secure total 10 seats in Zilla and Taluk Panchayat while BJP had to settle with 4 seats in Taluk panchayat and only one seat in Zilla panchayat. JDS could manage only one seat. In Bhatkal Taluk panchayat, BJP secured seats in Belke, Mawli, Shirali, and Yelvadi Kode while Congress secured seats in Bengre, Heble, Kaikini, Marukeri, Biloor, Mandali and Muttali. Mawli Number 1 constituency was secured by JDS. In Zilla panchayat, Congress secured seats in Mawli, Heble, and Belke constituencies while BJP secured a seat in Shirali constituency. It may be noted that there were 12 seats in Zilla panchayat and 4 seats in Taluka panchayat. Across the state,  Congress has emerged victorious in 498 out of the total 1,083 zilla panchayat seats for which elections were held on February 13 and 20. While BJP and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led JD(S) have bagged 408 and 148 seats respectively, independents have won in 27 seats with CPI(M) and JDU securing one each. In the taluk panchayat out of the 3,884 seats, Congress has won 1,705 seats, while BJP and JD(S) have won 1,362 and 610 seats respectively. 179 independents are among the victorious candidates. JDU got nine seats, CPI(M) 6, BSP 5 and ohers eight. Congress is likely to have hold on 10 zilla panchayats, BJP in 7 and JD(S) in 2, while there is hung panchayat in 11 districts. A total of 73.94 per cent voting was recorded in the first phase held on February 13 while the second phase saw a voter turnout of 69.32 per cent.   With inputs from DHNS - ARF