Mulki/Mangaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered a decisive victory in the recently held Kinnigoli and Bajpe Town Panchayat elections, emerging as the dominant political force in both local bodies and marking a significant gain in the region’s urban grassroots politics.

BJP secures majority in Kinnigoli Town Panchayat

The Kinnigoli Town Panchayat election, held on December 21, saw the BJP clinching a clear majority by winning 10 of the 18 wards, while the Congress secured the remaining 8 seats. This was the first election conducted after Kinnigoli was upgraded to a Town Panchayat four years ago, making the results particularly significant for both parties.

Party leaders described the outcome as a strong endorsement of the BJP’s leadership and organisational strength at the local level. With a simple majority secured in the inaugural election, the BJP is set to play a key role in shaping civic administration and development priorities in the Town Panchayat.

List of winners in Kinnigoli

The winners in the Kinnigoli Town Panchayat elections include:

  • Padmalatha Rao (Katilu, BJP)
  • Lokayya Salyan (Katilu, BJP)
  • Shailesh Anchan (Katilu, BJP)
  • Gururaj Malligeyangadi (Katilu, BJP)
  • Gopal Punaruru (Talipadi Ward 11, BJP)
  • Dhanush Shettigar (Talipadi Ward 12, BJP)
  • Sunitha Rodrigues (Talipadi Ward 13, Congress)
  • Chandra Ranya (Ward 10, Mennabetu, Congress)
  • Mallika Prakash (Ward 5, Kilejuru, BJP)
  • Mallika (Ward 15, Talipadi Guttagadu, BJP)
  • Santan D’Souza (Ward 14, Congress)
  • Damodar Shetty (Ward 6, BJP)
  • Prakash Acharya (Ward 8, Mennabetu, Congress)
  • Pranik Kinnigoli (Ward 16, BJP)
  • Pratima Prashanth (Ward 9, Congress)
  • Kushalata (Ward 18, Elatturu, Congress)
  • Sunitha (Ward 17, Congress)

The results reflected a closely fought contest in several wards, though the BJP managed to edge ahead overall by winning key areas.

Celebrations follow Kinnigoli results

Following the announcement of results, BJP supporters celebrated enthusiastically, bursting crackers and distributing sweets. Several senior leaders and party workers gathered to congratulate the newly elected members.

The celebrations were attended by MLA Umanath Kotian, BJP district vice-president Sunil Alva, Mulki Town Panchayat president Satish Anchan, Mandal president Dinesh Putran and other party leaders. Speakers at the celebration said the victory reflected people’s trust in the BJP’s governance and development agenda.

BJP wins clear majority in Bajpe Town Panchayat

In another major boost, the BJP also secured a clear majority in the first-ever election to the Bajpe Town Panchayat. Out of the total 19 wards, the BJP won 11 seats, comfortably crossing the majority mark.

The Congress managed to win 4 seats, while the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) secured 3 seats. One ward was won by an independent candidate. The counting of votes for Bajpe Town Panchayat was conducted on Wednesday at the Mini Vidhana Soudha.

Party leaders termed the outcome as a historic mandate, as it was the first time elections were held after Bajpe was constituted as a Town Panchayat.

Bajpe Town Panchayat winners

The ward-wise winners in the Bajpe Town Panchayat election are as follows:

  • Ward 1: Yashoda (BJP)
  • Ward 2: Padmanabha Poojari (BJP)
  • Ward 3: Jacob Pereira (Congress)
  • Ward 4: Siraj (Independent)
  • Ward 5: Gulshan Karim (SDPI)
  • Ward 6: Veena D’Souza (SDPI)
  • Ward 7: Ayesha (SDPI)
  • Ward 8: Lokesh Poojari (BJP)
  • Ward 9: Ritesh Shetty (BJP)
  • Ward 10: Sharmila Shetty (BJP)
  • Ward 11: Chinnappa Salyan (Congress)
  • Ward 12: Kiran (Congress)
  • Ward 13: Supreetha Shetty (BJP)
  • Ward 14: Hajira Farzan (Congress)
  • Ward 15: Dinesh Shetty Kenjaru (BJP)
  • Ward 16: Rajesh Ameen R.K. (BJP)
  • Ward 17: Mallika Chandrashekhar (BJP)
  • Ward 18: Rakshita Sharath (BJP)
  • Ward 19: Jayant Poojari (BJP)

Significance of the results

Political observers said the BJP’s strong performance in both town panchayats reflects its growing influence in local urban bodies and its ability to mobilise support at the grassroots level. Winning a majority in two newly constituted town panchayats is expected to strengthen the party’s organisational base ahead of future local body and Assembly elections.

For the Congress, the results are seen as a mixed outcome, with the party managing a respectable presence in Kinnigoli but falling short in Bajpe. The SDPI’s three-seat win in Bajpe also highlights its limited but notable presence in select wards.

Conclusion

The BJP’s twin victories in Kinnigoli and Bajpe Town Panchayat elections mark an important political milestone in the region. With clear mandates in both civic bodies, the party is poised to influence local governance and development initiatives. How effectively the newly elected members deliver on civic issues and public expectations will be closely watched in the coming months.