When last reports came in at 1:00 PM Monday, BJP leads in 34 wards while Congress in 27, independents in 6 wards, JDS in 2 and AIMIM in 2.
Hubli, Karnataka India —
Live updates:
3:45 PM:
The results have been declared and the BJP fell short of three to get a simple majority in the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation elections.
The 6 independent candidates who won will become King Makers as some of them contested as rebel candidates from the BJP and Congress. It would be interesting to see if Congress can convince all opposition and muster the numbers.
2:05 PM
The BJP seems to be disappointed as things did not go as per their expectations. The party has failed to get a clear majority and as the latest numbers suggest, Congress has made solid inroads in twin cities.
1:15 PM
Kalburgi: Congress 25, BJP 19, others 5
Belgaum: BJP 36, Congress 9, others 13
Hubli-DWD: – BJP leads in 39 wards while Congress in 33 wards, independents in 6 wards, JDS in 1 and AIMIM in 3
The counting of votes began in Belagavi-Hubli-Dharwad to decide the fate of over 1,100 candidates contesting from 195 wards.
The polls were held on Sept. 3, 2021, with strict COVID protocols. 300 candidates are contesting for the 55-wards in Kalaburagi City Corporation. In the 82-ward Hubballi Dharwad region, 420 nominees are in the fray while 385 candidates are fighting for the 58-ward Belagavi corporation, reports cnbctv18.com.
In the previous Municipal corporation elections in 2013, the BJP had emerged as the single largest party in the 82-ward HDMC, while the Congress had won 55-ward Kalaburagi corporation.
There is a direct clash between the two national parties, the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. The JDS has very little presence in these corporations in North Karnataka.
AIMIM open account in HDMC poll
Hubballi-Dharwad: the BJP is leading in 34 wards while the Congress is leading in 27 wards. AIMIM has succeeded to open its account, winning two seats.
Former deputy mayor Laxmi Uppar who contested as an independent candidate was defeated by BJP candidate Roopa Shetty in ward 47. The Devegowda led JD(S) secures ward 25 after its candidate Laxmi Maruti Hindasageri wins.
The municipal elections are considered to be an acid test for newly elected CM Bommai. It can be noted that former Karnataka CM Yediyurappa did not canvass in any of the constituencies.
Congress getting ready for the MLC elections
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress party bosses are meeting local leaders from all districts. KPCC President DK Shivkumar, CLP leader, and former CM Siddaramaiah were seen in discussion with leaders in North Karnataka.