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Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 14: BJP supported candidates won a majority of seats in the elections to all the three Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) of Udupi, Bantwal and Karkala. In Kundapur, it was a tie between the parties, but in likelihood, Congress may gain the upper hand in the taluk as it is now up to a government-nominated member to decide who gets to rule the Kundapur APMC.

The election results were announced here on Saturday, January 14.

Udupi

Padmanabha Rai, Bharati S Rai, Divakar, Padmaraj Ballal (Congress)

Bantwal

While the BJP won 7 out of the 13 seats and Congress won 6 in Bantwal, the BJP and Congress were both tied at 7 seats each in Kundapur. Among the seven seats that Congress supported candidates won, one was unopposed.

In Bantwal, elections were held for 12 seats in traders constituency, while zilla panchayat member Ravindra Kambali was elected unopposed for cooperative constituency. Among the remaining seats, Alike Geetha Shetty, Kedila Jagadish, Thumbe Vittal Salian, Sarapadi Harischandra Poojary, Mani Nemiraja Rai and Trader’s constituency’s Balakrishna Alva of BJP have won.

Similarly, Sangabettu Padmaraj Ballal, Chennaitodi Bharathi S Rai, Amtadi Diwaker Pambadabettu, Kolnadu Chandrashekar Rai, Kadeshwalya Chandrashekar Poojary and Panemangaluru Padmanabha Rai K of Congress have won.

Though BJP has the majority with seven seats, Congress which won six seats is likely to be in power. As appointed members have the right to vote during election to president and vice president, the power will likely be vested with the Congress.

Commenting on BJP supported candidates' performance in Udupi, district BJP president Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde said, "BJP won majority of seats in APMC poll. BJP supported candidates have won all the three taluks. In Udupi and Karkala taluks, BJP got nine seats as compared to Congress which got only four. It is an indication for next assembly elections where BJP will defeat Congress."

Kundapur results in detail

There are 7,236 votes in Trasi, out of which 2,576 had voted. Among these, 57 votes were rejected. Congress supported candidate Sharath Shetty secured 1,381 votes and won. BJP supported Radhakrishna Sheregar got 1,138 votes.

Out of the 3,769 voters in Kambadkone, 1,996 exercised their franchise. Twenty votes were rejected. Congress supported candidate Vasanth Hegde defeated his close rival former APMC president BJP supported candidate Deepak Kumar Shetty by 21 votes.

Candidates Ravichandra V K and Mohanchandra Ambagilu from here got 21 and 8 votes respectively. BJP supported candidate in Shiroor, Venkata Poojary secured 1,609 votes and defeated Congress supported candidate Mahabala B Devadiga who garnered 1,223 votes. Ravichandra V K and Mohanchandra Ambagilu from here got 29 and 26 votes respectively. Out of 6,865 votes, 2,927 votes were cast. As many as 39 votes were rejected.

Kirimanjeshwara has 5,287 voters. In total, 1,916 voters came out to vote and 19 votes were rejected. BJP supported candidate Manju Devadiga received 981 votes and defeated Congress supported candidate Narasimha Poojary who received 916 votes. There are 7,018 voters in Vandse, among whom 2,925 were polled and 73 votes were rejected.

Congress supported candidate Sanjeeva Poojary won in Vandse constituency. He won 1,516 votes. His rival Chandrayya Poojary secured 1,336 votes.

Among traders' constituency, there are 128 voters. As many as 114 voters came out to exercise their franchise. BJP candidate D Ramaraya Kamath received 71 votes and defeated independent candidate Rajesh Pai who secured 41 votes. Surprisingly no votes were rejected here. Seven candidates in Kundapur APMC were elected unopposed. Four BJP candidates and three Congress candidates were declared winners here.

Among 13 of Kundapur and Byndoor Vidhana Sabha constituencies, Raju S Poojary was elected unopposed in taluk agricultural cooperative society constituency. If government appointed members are elected, the APMC rule will be going to Congress. The defeat of APMC former president Deepak Kumar N Shetty known as old tiger was difficult for BJP to swallow.

The elected candidates have thanked the voters. While Congress candidates are glad that they are about to grab power, BJP has alleged that Congress was trying for back door administration. Both the party workers celebrated the success of their candidates.