Moodabidri: Congress candidate Vinod Serrao defeated rival BJP candidate Yashavantha Shetty by 94 votes in the by-elections held for Karinje Ward 21 in Muncipal council. The counting of votes was held here on Wednesday, July 13. Vinod Serrao secured 551 votes, while BJP candidate Yashavantha Shetty managed to get 457 votes. Nine NOTA votes were cast in the election.
The election which took place on July 10 at Moodabidri Karinje government school was an issue of prestige for both Congress and the BJP. Anil Lobo of Congress won the elections from Ward no 21 in the last elections, but his rival BJP candidate Krishnaraj Hegde, filed an appeal in the High Court for the dismissal of Lobo’s election petition. The High Court, in its judgment dated March 10 set aside the election of Anil Lobo to the Moodabidri town municipal council.
The reason behind Hegde challenging Anil Lobo’s election to the council’s membership in the election tribunal was on the grounds that he was not eligible to contest as he belonged to the reserved category notified for the ward, Category ‘B’, being a Christian, and also that Lobo was an income tax assessee as well as a sales tax assessee on the date of filing of his nomination for the election. Hence, following HC order, the district commissioner had instructed for by-elections to be held for the seat.
After the results were out, MLA Abhaychandra Jain, winning candidate Serrao and former candidate Anil Lobo took out a victory rally along with other Congress party workers. Addressing the workers, Jain said that it is a setback for the BJP and Congress is committed for the development of the ward. “This is a mandate given by the people of the taluk. We will fulfill their demands,” he said.
The winning candidate Vinod Serrao said, “This is a victory for the entire Congress party. The MLA from our constituency Abhaychandra Jain was a part of several developmental works and the people have voted us for the good work of our leaders. I will work for the development of this ward.” he said.
