Congress retains Mayoral posts in Kalaburagi

In a closely contested election at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hall (Town Hall) on Thursday, Congress candidates Varsha R. Jane (Ward 43) and Tripti S. Lakhe (Ward 45) were elected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively, of Kalaburagi.

The City Corporation is in its 23rd term.

Ms. Jane secured 36 votes defeating BJP candidate Gangamma Mannolli (Ward 5) who polled 27 votes.

Notably, four Janata Dal (Secular) councillors broke ranks with their party’s alliance with the BJP and voted in favour of the Congress candidate.

The Deputy Mayor post, reserved for Backward Classes (Category B), saw a three-way contest among Tripti Lakhe (Congress), Vijayalakshmi (Janata Dal-S) and Parvati (BJP).

Ms. Lakhe emerged victorious with 33 votes. Her closest rival, Parvati from the BJP, secured 27 votes, while JD(S) candidate Vijayalakshmi polled three votes.

Out of a total of 66 members, 63 were present for the election.

Among them were 55 ward corporators, three MLAs and six MLCs.

Three members were absent.

The members extended their support to candidates of their choice by raising their hands during the election process, thereby endorsing the selection of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The election results were officially declared by Kalaburagi Division Regional Commissioner Zaheera Naseem.

Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Chairperson and MLA Kaneez Fathima, Kalaburagi South Constituency MLA Allamprabhu Patil, Kalaburagi Rural Constituency MLA Basavaraj Mattimood, MLCs Tippannappa Kamakanoor, Jagadev Guttedar, Shashil G. Namoshi and Dr. B.G. Patil were among those present.

Also in attendance were Urban Development Authority Chairperson Mazhar Alam Khan, Kalaburagi City Corporation Commissioner Avinash Sindhe, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rayappa Hunasgi, officers from the Regional Commissioner’s Office, and officials of the City Corporation.

For previous term, Congress members Yellappa Naikodi (Ward 53) and Heena Begum (Ward 10) were elected unopposed as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively, on July 30, 2024.

In the 55-member City Corporation, the Congress commands a majority with 33 votes, comprising 27 councillors and six ex-officio members – including Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha MP Radhakrishna Doddamani, and MLAs Allamprabhu Patil, Kaneez Fatima, Thippannappa Kamaknoor, and Chandrashekar Patil.

The BJP-Janata Dal (S) alliance includes 22 BJP councillors, MLAs Basavaraj Mattimod, Shashil G. Namoshi, B.G. Patil, and four JD(S) councillors. (eom)

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