Daijiworld Media Network - Ramanagara (SP)

Ramanagara, Sep 18: Ramanagara happens to be the home constituency of Karnataka chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy. However, in a rare occurrence, BJP candidate won the election for the post of municipal president with the support of Congress. JD(S) had to taste defeat.

Ratnamma Papanna, a BJP candidate, emerged victorious in this election. Congress, which had formed alliance in the state to keep BJP at bay, made a volte face and supported BJP candidate in this selection, helping her to bag the seat.

This election was held on Monday September 17. Ratnamma had won with BJP symbol, but was identified with the Congress. She mustered 19 votes as against 11 scored by Sujata of JD(S). In this election, even MP and brother of minister, D K Shivakumar, D K Suresh, cast his vote in favour of Ratnamma.

The election was necessitated as Congress councillor, P Ravikumar, who was the president for the first 20 months term, was unseated by his own party men by moving no confidence motion. This municipality has 31 councillors including the MP. As such, it has 32 eligible voters. Ratnamma got 19 votes including that of the MP. As H D Kumaraswamy, who was elcted from both Ramanagara and Channapatna constituencies, had deserted Ramanagara constituency, he did not have the right to vote.