K'taka urban local body polls: Will BJP pass tough test?

Bangalore, March 7:

on Thursday, March 7 went to polls for 208 urban local bodies. The Karnataka urban local body

is seen as the first step towards the assembly elections, slated in May this year.

The urban local body elections will test the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), whether it will be able to retain its power in the state for second consecutive time. The entire house of BJP is in shambles, especially after BJP strongman and former Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yeddyurappa left his parent party to form Karnataka Janata Party (KJP).

Moreover, during its five-year-term, many of BJP's top leaders were accused of corruption charges. The development of whole of the state has come to a standstill, as BJP has been busy in solving infighting within the party.

The results of the polls will be declared on March 11. The local bodies are spread across all 30 districts of the state.

Around 85.32 lakh people are likely to cast their ballot in urban local bodies elections (excluding Bangalore) -- seven city corporations, 43 city municipal corporations, 65 town municipal councils and 93 town panchayats.

Moreover, past results are also not in favour of BJP.

Statistics say in 2007, the Congress had topped the tally, winning 1,606 wards, followed by JD(S) 1,502 and the BJP 1,180.

Media reports say voting in on amid tight security. Over 100,000 police personnel are on poll duty to ensure orderly balloting.

With two new regional parties KJP and the BSR Congress of the Reddy brothers of Bellary in the fray, the Congress, BJP and JDS too are fielding candidates in almost all wards. There are over 21,000 candidates in the fray for a total of 4,967 wards.

OneIndia News