01-05-2011, 01:57 AM
[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/BJP-s-big-win-in-Karnataka-panchayat-polls/H1-Article1-646247.aspx"]BJP's big win in Karnataka panchayat polls[/url]
Quote:Karnataka's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday emerged as a major winner in the local governing polls, bagging 12 zila panchayats (district councils) out of 30. The victory is a shot in the arm for chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, who is facing land grab allegations that led to a mutiny against him three months ago.
The Congress and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) won four zila panchayats each while the remaining 10 saw split verdicts.
Of the 176 taluk (sub-district) panchayats, the BJP won 68, Congress 31 and JD-S 29, while no party emerged a clear winner in the remaining 48.
Over 65% of 21 million voters had exercised their franchise in the elections, which took place on December 26 and 31 and January 1.