BJP chalks out 22-day programme to highlight ‘failures’ of Congress-led Karnataka government before facing zilla, taluk panchayat polls in Dakshina Kannada

The BJP, which held sway over the zilla panchayat and taluk panchayats in Dakshina Kannada in the last two terms, has begun preparing the ground to retain its hold over the local bodies in the coming elections.

With the last date announced by the State government for filing objections to the draft list of reserved constituencies having ended on Monday, the BJP has chalked out a 22-day programme to highlight the “failures” of the Congress-led government and the issues being faced by the people.

According to Satish Kumpala, president of the Dakshina Kannada unit of the party, it will hold padayatras and protests in front of rural and urban local bodies from October 25 to November 15 to highlight the “failures” of the State government ahead of the elections.

Mr. Kumpala alleged that people are not receiving social security pensions. There is a delay in obtaining Form 9/11A and Form 9/11B documents (property tax and khata extracts issued by gram panchayats). People are not getting ration cards. People belonging to economically weaker sections have not been granted housing sites. Many government portals that issue online documents are facing software issues. The government has not been able to contain the wild elephant menace in Sullia, Puttur, Kadaba and Belthangady taluks.

The party will highlight these issues before the people during the programme and in the run-up to the elections.

Premananda Shetty, general secretary of the district unit, said the party has capable candidates representing different reservation categories who can be fielded in the elections. “The BJP is ready to face the elections at any time,” said Mr. Shetty, a former Mayor of Mangaluru.

BJP hold

The last elections to the zilla panchayat and taluk panchayats were held in 2016.

Of the total 36 zilla panchayat seats, the saffron party won 21, leaving 15 to the Congress.

Of the five taluk panchayats, the BJP retained its hold over three - Sullia, Puttur and Belthangady - leaving Mangaluru and Bantwal to the Congress.

Earlier, in the elections held in 2010-11, the BJP bagged 24 of the 35 zilla panchayat seats, leaving 11 to the Congress. The saffron party also won all five taluk panchayats.