Rukmini Madegowda of JD(S) is new Mayor, Anwar Baig deputy

JD(S) corporator Rukmini Madegowda was elected as Mayor of Mysuru while Anwar Baig of Congress as Deputy Mayor, on Wednesday.

The election for Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts was held at Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) here. The term of the previous Mayor Tasneem of JD(S) ended on January 19.

The JD(S) and Congress alliance continued in the Mayoral poll, with slight changes. As per the agreement in 2018, the Mayor’s post was supposed to be for the Congress.

While Rukmini managed to secure 43 votes, BJP candidate Sunanda Palanetra obtained 26 votes. Similarly, Congress corporator Anwar Baig was elected as Deputy Mayor, by defeating BJP’s S Satvik.

The mayor’s post was reserved for General Category (woman) and deputy mayor was for general category. Regional Commissioner G C Prakash conducted the elections and announced the results. MCC Commissioner Shilpa Nag was present.

It has to be noted that, as per the agreement between the Congress and the JD(S) in 2018, the mayor’s post was supposed to be for the Congress, in the first and third term of the existing council. But, now the JD(S) retained the Mayor’s post, due to certain issues.

The JD(S) was not ready to continue the alliance with the Congress, due to a rift between Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah and JD(S) leaders. However, JD(S) corporators decided to extend support to the Congress, on a demand for the Mayor’s post.

MLA Tanveer Sait said, “We agreed to give the mayor’s post to the JD(S) this time. The mayor’s post will be reserved for the Congress for the next two terms.”