JOIN USBangalore gets first Dalit woman mayor
Sharadamma, 45, is the fifth woman mayor in the Bangalore Municipal Corporation’s history. Later, she expressed her resolve to tackle a mountain of problems that have bogged down the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for long.
Once declared the chosen one, Sharadamma spoke about a vision for Bangalore. But the problems that the City faces will have to be sorted out through discussions. “These issues cannot be sorted out overnight,” she told Deccan Herald. She also vowed to give a facelift to Bangalore without disturbing its identity.
Her apparent willingness to face the challenges ahead was echoed by Home and Transport Minister R Ashoka, who is also in charge of Bangalore. Ashoka hoped that a combination of a Dalit woman mayor, a young deputy mayor and with an experienced politician like Nanjundappa as the floor leader would help the growth of the City.
The new mayor said: “There are women from all communities who need assistance for empowerment. I will help all of them.”
Her statement was also a reflection of the overwhelming welcome she received in the BBMP Council on Friday morning. A huge gathering, including MLAs and MLCs, congratulated Sharadamma and Harish. Just a year ago, Sharadamma was a homemaker content with her household chores.
Standing panels
Eleven Standing Committee chairpersons and most members on the committees will now have the not so envious distinction of having the shortest term in BBMP history.
After the elections to the mayor and deputy mayor posts on Friday, Minister R Ashoka said all chairpersons and most members from the BJP will be replaced with fresh faces.
“I have been dissatisfied with the performance of the standing committees, who could have done more for the City even in their short duration. We will not be considering them for the upcoming chairperson posts for the year 2011-12,” he said.