JOIN USVarthur ensures unanimous polls
Nomination papers were permitted to be submitted from 11 am till 1 pm. Manjula Devi, who is a member of the Varthur Prakash faction and from the 25th ward, and Nazia of the 35th ward had submitted two nominations each for the post of the president.
Manjula Devi withdrew her nomination, ensuring Nazia an uncontested victory.
S R Muraligowda of the 14th ward, V Ravindra of the 12th ward and M V Raghu of the 11th ward had submitted nominations for the post of the vice-president. Ravindra and Raghu pulled out of the contest, helping Muraligowda win without opposition.
The five contestants arrived at 10.30 am in two vehicles and filed the papers. At 12.30, however, Ravindra and Manjula came back to the office with Council vice-president V K Rajesh and withdrew their respective nominations. Less than half an hour later and few minutes before the election process began, Raghu also withdrew his papers.
21 members
When Deputy Divisional Officer started the election process in the afternoon, Union minister K H Muniyappa and 21 Council members from the Congress and the Varthur Prakash faction were present. The other 14 members V K Rajesh, Somashekhar, Kusuma, Shankarappa, V Jyothi, Shriram, V Ravindra, Naseer Ahmed, V Prakash, Manjula Devi, Kanthamma, Amaravathi, Zareen Taj and Krishnappa were absent. Tahsildar S M Mangala, Council Superintendent Ramadas, was present.
The president and vice-president promised to work for the overall development of the City.
Security provided
Heavy security was provided by the police for the elections.
Having watched Council members and their supporters form groups due to lack of proper security during the previous three elections, the police permitted only the Council members, election officer and staff to enter the Council building.
However, some problem still arose since there were no prior indications given that identity cards needed to be produced for entry. There were a few instances of arguments between the police and some journalists at the election centre.
New chapter for Congress
Union minister K H Muniyappa said a new chapter has begun in the administration of the City Municipal Council. A new chapter would begin even in the development of the City, he promised.
Speaking to the mediapersons after the election for the president and vice-president of the Council on Saturday, Muniyappa said developmental work would be begun in 35 wards sans discrimination. The projects started by the Union and State Governments would be implemented effectively.
“Politics and development are not the same. I would suggest that the members of the Varthur faction lend support for the developmental works in the City,” Muniyappa told the media.
The Superintendent has been told to complete work on public facilities quickly. A meeting would be held with the Deputy Commissioner about providing houses and sites for the poor, he added.
Member of Legislative Council Naseer Ahmed said the Union ministers would be invited to visit the City to help implementation of developmental projects.
Council member V R Sudarshan said the party would undertake a padayatre from Kolar to Bangalore in the first week of November as a measure to help solve the problems in the district.
District Congress Samiti president Bissegowda, former member of the Council Nissar Ahmed were present.
DH News Service