JD(S)-BJP combine bags Mysuru ZP tough posts

Nayeema Sulthana is president, G Nataraj is vice president

Nayeema Sulthana, 50, on Saturday became the first Muslim woman president of the Mysuru zilla panchayat (ZP). However, her term will be for 20 months, following a pact within the JD(S). She is set to be succeeded by B C Parimala Shyam, for the next 40 months of the term.

Nayeema, who could not make it in SSLC, had served as vice-president and later president of the H D Kote Town Panchayat.

Her mother-in-law, Fatima Bi, was a member of the HD Kote TP for one term.A native of Tiptur in Tumakuru district, she was married to Nazim Ahmed, a fish vendor in HD Kote three decades ago. While her husband remained in business, Nayeema entered politics. The couple has four children. Nayeema told media, “I will give priority to roads, water and other works”.

Maiden luck

The new vice-president G Nataraj, 58, is popular as Kayamballi Nataraj in political circles. He was ecstatic as he managed to bag the post in is his maiden entry to the ZP. Nataraj, who had lost his debut poll to the ZP in 1995 on a Janata Party ticket, later switched to the BJP.

A BA graduate, he is all praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly-appointed BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa for sowing the seeds of development. “In the wake of drought, the cry for drinking water should be addressed,” he said.