M.S. Karadi, Sumitra Jadhav of the BJP elected Mayor, Deputy Mayor in Vijayapura

BJP members M.S. Karadi was elected Vijayapura Mayor and Sumitra Jadhav Deputy Mayor on Monday.

Mr. Karadi and Ms. Jadhav are known loyalists of BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal who has been expelled from the BJP.

Mr. Karadi said that he is a member of the BJP but considers Mr. Yatnal as his leader, despite the latter’s expulsion from the party.

“It is because of him that we won the city corporation elections. It is because of him we came to power in the corporation council. He continues to be our leader,” he said.

The winners were seen wearing a shawl with the letters, BRP, short for Basanagouda Ramanagouda Patil Yatnal.

The House has 35 members.

However, 46 people, including legislators, are eligible to vote in the Mayoral polls.

BJP members have a majority of 24 out of the 46. The elections were delayed due to some legal challenges.

Mr. Yatnal said that the conspiracy of the Congress to prevent the BJP from coming to power in the corporation failed.

After the elections, Mr. Karadi and Ms. Jadhav visited the BJP office in Vijayapura.

Leaders and workers honoured them. “The BJP is a party that breathes patriotism. I am proud to be a member of this party. I have won this post with the blessings of all party leaders, office-bearers, municipal BJP members and activist relatives. I will work sincerely for the all-round progress of the city,” Mr. Karadi said.

BJP district president Gurulingappa Angadi and leaders like Chandrasekhar Kavatagi, Rajasekhar Magimath, Shivrudra Bagalkot, Malugouda Patil, Rahul Jadhav, Swapna Kanamuchanala, Premananda Biradar and others were present.