Urban voters across Karnataka gave a resounding victory to the opposition Congress in the local civic body polls on Monday in what many consider to be a sign of how things would shape up for the assembly elections due by May. Of the seven corporations, the Congress bagged Mangalore, Bellary and Davanagere and won 1,960 of the 4,867 wards for which polls were held on March 7.

The Congress also emerged as the biggest party in Gulbarga and Mysore corporations, where the support of independent corporators will decide who gets a majority.

The ruling BJP and the JD(S) finished tied with 906 wards each.

Assessing the drubbing handed out to the ruling BJP, state Congress chief G Parameshwar said, “The people have spoken and their verdict is a strong indicator for the assembly elections.”