ಬೆಳಗಾವಿ ಮಹಾಪೌರರಾಗಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಆಯ್ಕೆ - ಕ.ರ.ವೇ. ಹೋರಾಟಕ್ಕ ಸಿಕ್ಕ ಫಲ

ಬೆಳಗಾವಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ವೇದಿಕೆಯು ನಡೆಸಿದ ಹೋರಾಟ ಮತ್ತು ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳ ಫಲವಾಗಿ ಮತ್ತೆ ಬೆಳಗಾವಿಯ ಮಹಾನಗರ ಪಾಲಿಕೆಯ ಮಹಾಪೌರರಾಗಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರೇ ಆಯ್ಕೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇದು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ವಿರೋಧಿಗಳಿಗೆ ತಕ್ಕ ಉತ್ತರ ನೀಡಿದಂತಾಗಿದೆ.

BELGAUM: Once again Kannada faction sailed through in the mayoral elections at Belgaum City Corporation on Monday with Yallappa Kurubar becoming the mayor and Jyoti Bhavikatti, his deputy.

Kurubar from Sarva Bhashika Sama Vichar Vedike (SBSVV) polled 34 of the total 62 votes, including those of four MLAs and an MP, whereas Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) candidate Dhanaraj Gavali secured only 26 votes. MLAs Satish Jarkiholi, Firoz Sait, Abhay Patil, Sanjay Patil and MP Suresh Angadi voted in favour of the Kannada faction. Jyoti managed to
secure 34 votes against MES contestant Aruna Kutre, who got only 27 votes.

Six councilors had filed nominations for the mayor's post. However, Shanta Uppar, Kalpana Palekar and Gourish Kammar withdrew their papers, leaving Kurubar and Gavali and Shubhangi Chitragar (MES) in the fray. In spite of being a candidate, Chitragar supported Gavali. Of the six nominations filed for deputy mayor's post, the one by Babajan Matawal got rejected for technical reasons. Anita Kitwadkar, Renu Killekar and Vandana Bilagi withdrew their nominations. Councilor Sabhaji Chouhan stood neutral while Jayashree Pise did not vote in the election. Speaking to reporters, mayor-elect Kurubar said he will work for the development of the city by taking into confidence the members of ruling and opposition members and local politicians. He also thanked those who voted in his favour. Earlier, Gavali objected to voting by MP Suresh Angadi as "the Election Commission had enforced election code of conduct in the wake of Lok Sabha elections". However, BCC law officer defended Angadi's voting, saying the Parliament has not been dissolved and Angadi is still an MP with voting powers. Incumbent mayor Prashanta Budavi held the elections as the presiding officer.

KRV celebrates Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) celebrated the election of a Kannadiga as the mayor of BCC. Speaking to reporters, KRV president Narayanagowda said their struggle to have a Kannadaiga mayor has paid off. District in-charge minister Basavaraj Bommai too expressed happiness and said the government will take more development works in the city. TNN