<p>The Zilla Panchayat is seeing several changes since B Savithramma stepped down from the post of vice-president after the no-confidence motion on February 25. </p>.<p>Most of all, there seems to be cut-throat competition among eligible members to fill the post. <br /><br />President M V Krishnappa, however, denied such competition in the Panchayat.<br /><br />‘No competition’<br /><br />Speaking to mediapersons at the Travellers’ Bungalow on Saturday, he said the election of the vice-president for the Panchayat had been converted into a situation of confusion, allegation and misunderstanding. “There is no intense competition among the members to be elected the vice president, as the people are made to believe. The new vice-president will be elected as per the law on the day the Election Commission chooses,” he said. <br /><br />Both, Krishnappa and CEO B S Shekharappa, however, are said to be eagerly waiting for declaration of the date for poll. <br /><br />Asked if the president of the Zilla Panchayat standing committee is a contender for the post of the vice-president, Krishnappa said every member of the Panchayat would be a contender for the post of the president or vice-president. “Each of them will also hope to become the chief or deputy.”<br /><br />There are also demands to get Savithramma back to power as the vice-president. CPM members are saying she was ousted by people with ill-will towards her and are threatening to undertake a legal fight against the rivals.<br /><br />Another development seen in the district is the president undertaking more and more trips around the district, looking for problems in hospitals, schools and hostels. The citizens, however, are finding the actions controversial. “The Zilla Panchayat members objected to Savithramma visiting all taluks, inspecting hostels and other places there and taking the officers concerned to task for poor conditions. Now the president himself is undertaking such visits, but the members prefer to remain silent,” they said.<br /><br />In response, Krishnappa told Deccan Herald he was visiting various places and trying to solve the problems there. He also took action against the department officers if they were absent during the visit.<br /><br />‘Bring back Savithramma’<br /><br />K S Lakshmi, State Janawadi Mahila Sanghatane general secretary, demanded immediate election to the post of the Zilla Panchayat vice-president and re-installation of Savithramma at the position.<br /><br />Addressing the press on Friday, she said removing Savithramma from her post through a no-confidence motion because the members could not stand her law-abiding nature was not right. It was an act of insult to the systems of democracy, reservation and social justice.<br /><br />“Savithramma, who was elected to the post reserved for a woman belonging to Backward Class A, fulfilled her duties diligently and honestly.”<br /><br />Lakshmi said if the acts against the law continue, the organisation would undertake an intense struggle.</p>
<p>The Zilla Panchayat is seeing several changes since B Savithramma stepped down from the post of vice-president after the no-confidence motion on February 25. </p>.<p>Most of all, there seems to be cut-throat competition among eligible members to fill the post. <br /><br />President M V Krishnappa, however, denied such competition in the Panchayat.<br /><br />‘No competition’<br /><br />Speaking to mediapersons at the Travellers’ Bungalow on Saturday, he said the election of the vice-president for the Panchayat had been converted into a situation of confusion, allegation and misunderstanding. “There is no intense competition among the members to be elected the vice president, as the people are made to believe. The new vice-president will be elected as per the law on the day the Election Commission chooses,” he said. <br /><br />Both, Krishnappa and CEO B S Shekharappa, however, are said to be eagerly waiting for declaration of the date for poll. <br /><br />Asked if the president of the Zilla Panchayat standing committee is a contender for the post of the vice-president, Krishnappa said every member of the Panchayat would be a contender for the post of the president or vice-president. “Each of them will also hope to become the chief or deputy.”<br /><br />There are also demands to get Savithramma back to power as the vice-president. CPM members are saying she was ousted by people with ill-will towards her and are threatening to undertake a legal fight against the rivals.<br /><br />Another development seen in the district is the president undertaking more and more trips around the district, looking for problems in hospitals, schools and hostels. The citizens, however, are finding the actions controversial. “The Zilla Panchayat members objected to Savithramma visiting all taluks, inspecting hostels and other places there and taking the officers concerned to task for poor conditions. Now the president himself is undertaking such visits, but the members prefer to remain silent,” they said.<br /><br />In response, Krishnappa told Deccan Herald he was visiting various places and trying to solve the problems there. He also took action against the department officers if they were absent during the visit.<br /><br />‘Bring back Savithramma’<br /><br />K S Lakshmi, State Janawadi Mahila Sanghatane general secretary, demanded immediate election to the post of the Zilla Panchayat vice-president and re-installation of Savithramma at the position.<br /><br />Addressing the press on Friday, she said removing Savithramma from her post through a no-confidence motion because the members could not stand her law-abiding nature was not right. It was an act of insult to the systems of democracy, reservation and social justice.<br /><br />“Savithramma, who was elected to the post reserved for a woman belonging to Backward Class A, fulfilled her duties diligently and honestly.”<br /><br />Lakshmi said if the acts against the law continue, the organisation would undertake an intense struggle.</p>