Silver, gold and silk gifts for Ballari civic body members ahead of March 28 mayoral poll

BALLARI: In the election season, aspirants for the post of mayor and deputy mayor are busy wooing members with expensive gifts ahead of the March 28 election in the Ballari city corporation.

Though the Congress has a clear majority, there is intense lobbying by Mallangi Nandish, Gadeppa, Peram Vivek and independent member Prabhanjan. The fight seems to be more intense between Nandish and Prabhanjan.

Mallangi Nandish and independent member Prabhanjan.

While Nandish is giving out gifts of silver plates and a small gold gift item shaped like the Congress’ hand symbol, Prabhanjan is giving out silk sarees and panches. Both are also giving out boxes of dry fruits and visiting the Palike members at home to felicitate them.

Of the total 39 members, 21 belong to Congress, five are independents while 13 belong to the Congress. While some are supporters of Ballari City MLA Nara Bharat Reddy of the Congress, other are backing Youth Services, Sports, and S T Welfare Binister B Nagendra. In the previous election too, there was intense lobbying between the two groups.