Bengaluru: The controversy around the luxury watch surely did not become the noose around the neck of Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the state as the verdict of the electorate in the Panchayat polls is loud and clear.
The ruling Congress government swept across the state, bringing huge relief to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the state, thereby proving his detractors wrong.

The State Election Commission notified that out of 1,083 zilla panchayat seats, the Congress won 498 seats, the BJP has won 408, Janata Dal (Secular) 148, CPM 1, Independent 27, Janata Dal (United) 1.

Out of 3,884 taluk panchayat seats, the BJP has won 1,362, Congress 1,705 Janata Dal (Secular) 610, BSP 5, CPM 6, Independent 179, Janata Dal (U) 9, Others 8.

Since the Congress has already crossed the half way mark, Siddaramaiah is likely to save his chair and complete the full term of five years as chief minister.

There are 30 Zilla Panchayats with a total of 1083 seats and 175 Taluk Panchayats with a total of 3902 seats in the state.
 
Elections were held in two phases on February 12 and 20. The counting began from 8 am simultaneously at all district headquarters.

The results of these grassroots level elections is seen as a run up to the 2018 assembly elections as it would strongly reflect the electoral mood and the assessment of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The Congress had faced setback in the recent by polls in two of the three Assembly segments and a defeat in grassroots polls would have come as a massive blow for the Congress.

A total of 74.37% voting was recorded in the first phase held on February 12 while the second phase saw a voter turnout of 68 to 70% in 15 districts.

A total of 2,159 candidates contested the zilla panchayat polls and 6,457 contestants were in the fray for taluk panchayat seats. All three major political parties – Congress, BJP and JDS – made good efforts to attract voters through their aggressive campaigns.