In what’s being seen as a “semi-final” to Assembly elections due in May, polls to urban local bodies (ULBs) in Karnataka takes place tomorrow, with political parties anxious to know about their standing in the eyes of the voters.
About 85 lakh people are eligible to cast their ballot in 208 ULBs (excluding Bangalore) — seven city corporations, 43 city municipal corporations, 65 town municipal councils and 93 town panchayats.
The polls are sure to be a “litmus test” for the contending political outfits, with Assembly polls just round the corner.
Last time around, in 2007 (BJP government came to power in 2008), the Congress topped the tally, winning 1606 wards, followed by JDS 1502 and the BJP 1180.
Stakes are particulary high for the ruling BJP now as the party is without heavyweight B S Yeddyurappa, who last year parted ways and floated his own regional outfit Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP).
KJP and BSR Congress of B Sriramulu, a former BJP Minister, are testing the political waters for the first time.
There are over 21,000 candidates in fray for a total of 4967 wards. Results would be declared on March 11. “We will win at least 1,600 to 1,800 wards”, JDS state unit President H D Kumaraswamy said.
