In a significant political development, the Congress party experienced a major setback in Chikkamagaluru. The ruling party failed to take control of the District Central Cooperative Bank during recent elections. Voters elected directors for the bank on Saturday, and the results delivered a crushing blow to Congress hopes.
Alliance Dominates the Polls
The BJP and JD(S) formed a powerful alliance that completely dominated the election. Together they captured twelve out of thirteen director posts. BJP candidates won ten seats while JD(S) candidates secured two positions. Congress managed to win only a single seat, highlighting their poor performance.
High-Profile Losses for Congress
Several prominent Congress leaders faced embarrassing defeats. Sitting MLA KS Anand lost his election to a BJP candidate. This loss proved particularly humiliating for the ruling party. Despite having five sitting MLAs in Chikkamagaluru district, Congress could not secure even one seat in the bank election.
The election featured intense competition with multiple political heavyweights participating. MLCs, current MLAs, and former legislators all entered the fray. JD(S), which traditionally controlled the cooperative sector, strategically partnered with BJP to keep Congress away from power.
Notable Victories and Defeats
On the winning side, MLCs CT Ravi and SL Bhoje Gowda achieved significant victories for their alliance. However, not all BJP candidates succeeded. Rebel candidate Niranjan from BJP lost his election despite the overall alliance success.
The comprehensive defeat of both current and former MLAs who contested this election delivered a severe blow to Congress morale. Meanwhile, the BJP-JD(S) alliance celebrated a resounding victory that strengthens their position in the cooperative banking sector.
This election outcome signals potential trouble for Congress in the region. The party's inability to translate its legislative presence into cooperative bank control raises questions about its organizational strength. Political observers will watch closely how Congress responds to this electoral humiliation.
