The BJP here on Saturday claimed that of the 109 candidates elected unopposed to the gram panchayats in Dakshina Kannada, 71 are backed by it.
Addressing media K. Monappa Bhandary, former MLC and State executive committee member of the party, exuded confidence that the party would win at least 60 per cent of the total 3,399 seats in the district.
He said that 19 were from Sullia, 18 from Bantwal, 16 from Mangaluru, 11 from Puttur, six from Moodbidri, and one from Mangaluru City North Assembly constituency.
Referring to the claim made by Congress MLC Ivan D’Souza that the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has addressed the issue of sale and sub-division of family property in rural areas. Mr. Bhandary said officials told him that the powers of sub-division had been transferred from taluk to the gram panchayats.
