BJP wins 2 of 3 Urban Local Body elections in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka

The ruling Congress in Karnataka lost two of three urban local body (ULB) elections in Dakshina Kannada district, which were held in December. The defeat comes days after the ruling party crossed the mid-way mark of its five-year term after coming to power in 2023 by offering five guarantees.

The results of the elections, which were held on December 21, were declared on December 24.

Of the 19 seats in the Bajpe Town Panchayat, seven seats were reserved for women. In the Kinnigoli panchayat, six of 18 seats were reserved for women.

The BJP won Kinnigoli and Bajpe Town Panchayats while the Congress was able to win only Kadaba Town Panchayat in the first-ever elections held after they were upgraded from gram panchayats.

Of the 19 seats in Bajpe Town Panchayat, the BJP won 11, Congress four, and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) three seats. The remaining seat was bagged by an independent candidate.

Kinnigoli Town Panchayat has 18 seats of which the BJP bagged 10 seats leaving eight seats to the Congress.

Earlier, in the election to Kadaba Town Panchayat on August 17, 2025, the Congress had bagged eight of 13 seats leaving five seats to the BJP. The election was held after Kadaba became a taluk headquarters.

Premananda Shetty, General Secretary, Dakshina Kannada unit of the BJP, told The Hindu that the results revealed that voters have rejected the maladministration of the Congress, and are in favour of the development agenda of the BJP.

The voters have reposed their faith and trust in the BJP, which can deliver in local administration, said Mr. Shetty, a former mayor of Mangaluru City Corporation.