Nandakumar elected CMC chief, Vasantha deputy

Congress, JD(S) members stage walk out during the election

Except for H M Nandakumar, none filed any application for the post of the president. Though Mayamma, representing Congress-JD(S) filed her application for the post of the vice president, she withdrew her application later, paving way to senior member of BJP Vasantha Keshav to be elected unopposed.

Walkout

As soon as the filing of the nomination papers were over, the Congress and the JD(S) members shouted slogans and staged a walkout. Prior to it, both the BJP as well as the Congress-JD(S) members levelled charges against each other. Before staging a walkout, the Congress-JD(S) members criticised Election Officer Dr M R Ravi for suspending the elctions on December 22 and alleged that he has acted as a puppet in the hands of the ruling BJP. “The elections have been held against the Constitution as the Election Officer has allowed horse-trading in the polls,” they charged.
 
2 neutral

A total of 24 persons including MLA M P Appachu Ranjan, Nandakumar and Vasantha Keshav, took part in the polls. Chitra Devraj of the BSP and Independent K T Baby Mathew, though did not stage a walkout, they remained neutral during the polls.
However, K G Harish of the Congress, Ashraf and Ashrafunissa, both from the JD(S) and Khateeja of the Samjawadi Party extended their support to the BJP. The two elected members - Latha Bangera and P R Manjula, who had gone “missing” for some time eariler this month, too extended their support to the BJP.

MP, MLCs absent

As it was a known fact that the Congress-JD(S) alliance will not get majority support to come to power, MP H Vishwanath and MLCs M C Nanaiah and T John remained absent for the meet. However, they had taken part in the earlier meets held on December 22 as well as January 10.

Jubilation

As the Election Officer declared the names of the winners, the BJP members celebrated their victory while their supporters burst crackers. SP Manjunath Annigeri had taken precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents in the CMC office premises.

Vows to develop

Addressing the members soon after his election, H M Nandakumar said that the development of the City would be his goal. “I will try to discharge my duties in the next two years without any discrimination,” he said and sought support from all members. He also thanked the members for electing him unopposed though there were three eligible candidates for the post. “The city is reeling under many problems including shortage of drinking water and shifting of private bus stand,” he said and called upon the members to work unitedly cutting across party lines.

Vice President Vasantha Keshav said that she would work honestly and sought support from all members.