Ramappa Badiger elected Mayor of Hubballi-Dharwad and Deputy Mayor of Durgama Vidyawad

In the Hubballi mayoral elections on Saturday, senior BJP legislator from ward 30 Ramappa Badigar and first-time legislator from ward 69 Durgama Vijayawad were elected as the new mayor and deputy mayor respectively.

The Indian National Congress has fielded Imam Hussain Yeligar and Mangalama Hiremani for ward 33 and 50 respectively for the maximum two posts in the mayoral elections. The post of mayor has been reserved for OBC category A and the post of deputy mayor for scheduled castes (women).

Ramappa Badiger and Durgama Vidyawad of the BJP secured 47 votes each, while Imam Hussain Yeliger and Mangalama Hiremani of the Indian National Congress got 36 votes each. AIMIM’s Hussainvi Naratwad, who was running for the mayoral post in ward 77, secured 3 votes.

After the election formalities for the mayor and deputy mayor were completed, Belagavi Municipal Commissioner and Election Officer for the mayoral elections SB Chettennavaru announced the results.

The BJP has a clear majority among the 82-member civic council, which is running for its 23rd term. A total of 90 members, including members of the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and state legislatures, are eligible to vote in the mayoral elections. Of these, 86 took part in the elections. Four of the eligible voters were absent.

Additional district commissioner SS Biradar and HDMC commissioner Ishwar Ullagaddi assisted the election commissioner in conducting the election formalities.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, MP Arvind Berad, MP Mahesh Tenginakai and others who participated in the election campaign offered flowers and congratulated the winner.

Some challenges

Speaking to media persons after being elected as Mayor, Ramappa Badiger said the Twin City faces several challenges, including water supply issue, and he would address them in a phased manner during his term as Mayor.

He said the corporation’s development requires huge funds and therefore the issue of overdue property taxes needs to be addressed, adding that he would make sincere efforts for the comprehensive development of the sister city.