Belagavi City Corporation Mayor Election on March 18 Causes BJP Power Fight

The Belagavi City Corporation will elect its new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on March 18. This election is important for the ruling BJP party's power in the city.
By Newsroom | Local Government, Elections |

March 18 looms for Belagavi City Corporation leadership, triggering internal machinations within the ruling BJP.

The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) will hold elections for its Mayor and Deputy Mayor on March 18, a date that has intensified political maneuvering, particularly within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which commands a clear majority in the corporation. This election cycle is set to fill the posts for the fourth term of the BCC, following the conclusion of the incumbent's tenure.

Electoral Mechanics and Reserved Posts

The mayoral position for this term is designated for the General Women category. Conversely, the Deputy Mayor's post falls under the general category, meaning it is unreserved. This configuration has spurred considerable internal lobbying.

  • The distribution of posts is anticipated to favor the South Division for the Mayor and the North Division for the Deputy Mayor.

  • Within the BJP, women corporators from the Lingayat and Nekar communities, forming a significant portion of the elected members, are reportedly eyeing the mayoral seat.

  • Speculation also suggests that a Marathi-speaking corporator might be considered for the Deputy Mayor role, hinting at broader community considerations.

Strategic Hesitations and Past Allegations

A peculiar dynamic is emerging, with some corporators reportedly exhibiting reluctance towards accepting the Deputy Mayor position. This hesitation appears rooted in a forward-looking calculation: the Mayor's post is expected to be reserved for the general category in the subsequent year.

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Belagavi Mayor polls on March 18 - 1

"With the Mayor’s post expected to be reserved for the General category next year, some corporators are reportedly reluctant to accept the Deputy Mayor’s position now, fearing it could affect their chances of contesting for Mayor later." - [Reported sentiment from within BJP circles]

This strategic positioning underscores the long-term aspirations at play within the corporation's power structure.

Previously, in March 2025, the BJP had secured both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions. Mangesh Pawar was elected Mayor, and Vani Vilas Joshi took the Deputy Mayor role, with MLA Abhay Patil reportedly playing a crucial part in Pawar's victory.

Meanwhile, in early March 2025, the BJP had expressed strong dissent regarding the delay in mayoral elections, accusing the state government of deliberately stalling the process through what they termed "legal misuse" and "unfair tactics." They had threatened protests if elections were not conducted promptly.

Contextual Data Points

  • The Belagavi City Corporation comprises 58 ward members, augmented by five nominated members.

  • The wards are commonly categorized under Belagavi North and Belagavi South constituencies.

  • The term of the outgoing Mayor, Savita Kamble, and Deputy Mayor, Anand Chauhan, both BJP members, concluded on February 15, 2025. The BJP held a majority with 35 out of 58 members.

  • The electoral process is slated to occur at the city corporation's main meeting hall, overseen by the Regional Commissioner and Returning Officer K.M. Janaki.

Belagavi City Corporation | Karnataka Government | Bharatiya Janata Party

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will the Belagavi City Corporation elect its new Mayor and Deputy Mayor?
The Belagavi City Corporation will hold elections for Mayor and Deputy Mayor on March 18. This is for the fourth term of the corporation, and the current leaders' term ended on February 15, 2025.
Q: Which categories are reserved for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts in Belagavi City Corporation on March 18?
For the March 18 election, the Mayor's post is reserved for a woman from the General category. The Deputy Mayor's post is for the general category, meaning it is unreserved.
Q: Why are some BJP corporators hesitant to become Deputy Mayor in Belagavi?
Some BJP corporators are not eager to become Deputy Mayor because the Mayor's post is expected to be for the general category next year. They fear taking the Deputy Mayor role now might hurt their chances of becoming Mayor later.
Q: Who holds the majority in the Belagavi City Corporation before the March 18 elections?
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds the majority in the Belagavi City Corporation. They have 35 out of 58 elected members, which gives them control over the election results.
Q: What happened in the last Belagavi City Corporation Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections in March 2025?
In March 2025, the BJP won both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor seats. Mangesh Pawar became Mayor and Vani Vilas Joshi became Deputy Mayor. MLA Abhay Patil was important in Pawar's win.