The ‘dismal’ performance of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in North-Karnataka has cast a shadow on the leadership of Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar in that region.

BJP, a few months ago, had declared that it would go to Assembly elections due in May under Shettar’s captaincy.

In Dharwad, the home district of Shettar, BJP has emerged as a single largest party, but has failed to get a clear majority in the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation. However, the BJP needs the support of one candidate for a simple majority in the 67-seat HDMC council.

The ULB elections is considered as ‘litmus test’  for Shettar as he had head the party in the coming Assembly polls. Shettar may have spent more time campaigning for BJP in North Karnataka region, but the results are not to anybody’s expectations. Except in Belgaum district, BJP has failed to put up a good show in other districts of North Karnataka.

Since from the beginning, Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkote, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Gadag, Haveri, and Uttara Kannada have been the strong fortress of Congress. But, they were captured by BJP in 2004 Assembly polls. The ULB results have indicated BJP losing its control over those districts. On the other hand, the results have come as a face saver for Congress which had been trying to find its lost base.

The performance of KJP in North Karnataka, except Haveri district has proved that Yeddyurappa can no longer claim himself as the champion of N-K region.

In Belgaum district, of the total 392 seats, BJP has won 104 seats where as a whopping 221 independents registered victory. Congress and JD(S) have won 59 and six seats respectively.  KJP has won two seats.

In Bijapur district, Congress has won 44 of the total 150 seats whereas 43 Independents have romped home. BJP has managed to win just 33 seats followed by 25 by Janata Dal (Secular). KJP has won four seats.

In Bagalkot district, Congress has bagged as many as 121 seats of the total 290 seats followed by 96 by BJP. Former minister B Sriramulu’s BSR Congress and KJP have won six and four seats respectively, and JD(S) has won 18 seats and Independents have bagged 22 seats.

In Dharwad district-the home district of Shettar, BJP has won just 50 out of the total 156 seats. Congress has made a come back by winning 64 seats. JD(S) has won 29 seats and KJP has bagged five seats much to the surprise of BJP workers.

In Gadag district, Congress has swept the polls by winning 99 seats of the total 203 seats. The BSR Congress has registered victory in 20 wards. The  ruling BJP has won just 61 seats.

In Haveri district, KJP has bagged as many as 51 seats of the total 193 seats whereas Congress has wrested 78 seats. BJP has won a moderate 41 seats. This district has been controlled by former minister C M Udasi who joined KJP recently.

In Uttara Kannada district, Congress has won 107 seats followed by BJP with 50 seats. The JD(S) has emerged victorious in 41 seats and independents have managed to win 37 seats.