Hubbali: BJP corporators Ashwini Majjagi and Smita Jadhav were elected the mayor and deputy mayor, respectively, of the twin cities on a day that saw the BJP, the ruling party in the civic body, snapping its year-long alliance with the JD(S).

The BJP had won 33 of the 67 seats in the urban local body election in March last year, falling short of a simple majority in the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation by a seat. With the support of an MP, two MLAs and two independent corporators, it cobbled up 38 seats. It, however, still tied up with the opposition’s strength – 22 in Congress, five MLCs/MLAs and nine in JD(S), an MLC and an independent corporator. JD(S), therefore, became the kingmaker.

After hectic parleys, the JD(S) agreed to back the BJP with one rider: that the deputy mayor’s post be set aside for one of its corporators during the second tenure of the alliance. But, the government notification on reserving the post of the deputy mayor for a woman corporator from the Scheduled Tribe category threw a spanner in JD(S)’ plans. Only the BJP has an ST woman corporator.

Despite the government order, four JD(S) corporators – Santosh Hirekerur, Ishwar Sanikoppa, Rajanna Koravi and Altaf Navaz Kittur – kept trying their luck for nominations to the post of the deputy mayor. Peeved with their party’s ability to resolve the issue, Hirekerur and Sanikoppa quit from the JD(S) two days ago.

Unable to resolve the differences, the BJP severed its ties with the JD(S) for the mayoral election. While the ruling party continues to enjoy the support of 38 corporators, the opposition’s strength has now been reduced to 36. Majjagi, with a tally of 38 votes, beat her closest contender Shaila Kamareddi of the Congress by 11 votes.