BENGALURU: In the first elections since the JD(S)-Congress coalition government came to power three months ago, the Congress edged the BJP in 105 urban local bodies (ULBs), results of which were declared on Monday. The JD(S) was relegated to the third position. Between them, the Congress and the JD(S) are set to take control of most councils.Of the total 2,662 seats — including those in the city corporations of Mysuru, Shivamogga and Tumakuru — the Congress bagged 982 seats, the BJP 929, the JD(S) 375, the BSP 13, Independents 329 and others 34. The Congress and JD(S), which had announced they would ally post elections, can wrest power in a majority of local bodies with their combined strength.KC Venugopal, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, said: “The victory of Congress is a mandate against communal and divisive forces in the state.”Though the BJP emerged the single largest party in all three city corporations, it can rule only in Shivamogga, while the Congress-JD(S) will ally in Mysuru and Tumakuru. The BJP displayed an impressive performance by securing a clear majority in 10 of 29 city municipal councils, an indication that the party continues to be preferred by urban voters, especially in big cities and towns.Of the total 108 urban local bodies, polls were held in 105. Elections to Kushalnagar, Somawarpet and Virajpet town panchayats in Kodagu district were postponed due to heavy rain and landslides. Fresh dates are yet to be announced. Of the 105 urban local bodies, three were city corporations, 29 city municipal councils, 53 town municipal councils and 20 town panchayats.Of the total 135 wards in the three city corporations, the BJP won 54, Congress 36, JD(S) 30 and BSP 1, and Independents 14. The results also indicate the alliance between the Congress and JD(S) did little to help either party consolidate their positions in coastal districts. The pre-poll campaign had witnessed stray incidents of clashes between workers of both parties at the grassroots level, even though leaders had claimed the elections were a friendly fight.In Old Mysuru area, the JD(S) was way ahead of the Congress, while it almost made a clean sweep in Mandya and Hassan districts.