Mayor Election Raises Curiosity: Possibility of Four More Names?
(Ebelagavi Special Report)
Belagavi
Even though the date for the 23rd-term Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections of Belagavi City Corporation has been announced (March 15), the voter list remains a topic of curiosity for everyone.
The Regional Commissioner has announced this date and sent the notification to the City Corporation, which has already started informing all the corporators.
As per the latest information, the City Corporation has sent a list of 63 eligible voters, excluding two disqualified members, to the Regional Commissioner. However, the Regional Commissioner has not yet officially released the final list.
This has raised suspicions among BJP members that the names of four Congress members might be added later.
Who Has Voting Rights?
Currently, excluding the two disqualified members, there are 56 corporators, along with:
Minister Satish Jarkiholi
Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar
MLA Abhay Patil
MLA Asif Seth
MP Jagadish Shettar
Chikkodi MP Priyanka Jarkiholi
MLC Sabanna Talawar
However, according to recent information, a proposal has been sent to the government to include three more Congress members in the voting list. High-level sources suggest that if the new list is approved, MLC Channaraj Hattiholi, MLC Prakash Hukkeri, and Nagraj Yadav will also gain voting rights.
In response, the BJP has already filed objections with the Governor and Chairman Basavaraj Horatti to prevent these additions.
What If New Names Are Added?
Currently, the BJP holds an absolute majority in the Belagavi City Corporation.
BJP has 35 corporators
Two independent members previously supported BJP
Excluding the two disqualified members, BJP still has 33 corporators
Adding one MLC, one MP, and one MLA, the total reaches 36
On the other hand, Congress, along with MES members, has 23
Including four MLAs, the total goes up to 27
Even if four more names are added, BJP’s majority remains unaffected
Reservation for Mayor and Deputy Mayor?
The Mayor’s post is open to the general category
The Deputy Mayor’s post is reserved for women in the general category
Jarkiholi’s Entry Raises Eyebrows!
A key aspect to note is that MLA Abhay Patil from Belagavi South has been the kingmaker in the City Corporation.
However, even before the election announcement, Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi’s entry into the scene has sparked discussions.
Additionally, four BJP corporators have been using Jarkiholi’s influence to lobby, creating further political debate.
With these developments, the future of Belagavi’s municipal politics remains uncertain, and all eyes are on the coming days.
