Hassan: The ruling Janata Dal (Secular) managed to retain power in the Hassan City Municipal Council (CMC), winning 14 of the 35 seats, although the BJP in a drastic improvement of its tally of two seats in the previous council, won 13. The Congress came third, with just two seats. With two Janata Dal (Secular) rebels, Alfiya Fayaz and Gowsiya Almas winning the polls and deciding to back the JD(S), its tally is likely to rise to 19. And with the Congress backing it as well, its strength in the CMC could touch 21, giving it a clear majority.
Interestingly, in one ward, BJP candidate , Savitha Krishnamurthy won by merely four votes against her JD(S) opponent, Veena. While Savitha polled 946, Veena got 942. Minister for Public Works H D Revanna said he was satisfied with the JD(S)’s performance in Hassan. The party has more reason to be happy as it did a clear sweep of the Holenarsipura Town Municipal Council (TMC) , winning all 23 seats.
The win is doubly sweet for it as Holenarsipura is the hometown of its supremo, H D Deve Gowda and is represented by Mr Revanna in the assembly. In Arasikere, the JD(S) won 22 of the 33 TMC wards, the Congress , one and and the BJP, five. In Channarayapatna, the JD(S) won 15 of the 23 seats and the Congress, eight. In Sakleshpur, the JD(S) won 14 seats, the BJP, two, the Congress, four and independents, three.
