The president’s post has been reserved for Scheduled Caste (women) category and N Ramadevi, elected from Vakkaleri is the only qualifying candidate of the 23 members.

In the absence of any other contender, her election is almost a certainty. She owes her allegiance to the faction led by legislator Varthur Prakash. Obviously, there is little room left for political manoeuvring.

Contest intensifies

On the other hand, the scramble for the post of vice-president has hottened up. The post is reserved for general category.

The JD(S) has eight, Congress has four, BJP - one and 10 independent members meeting the reservation criteria.

The vice-president has the authority to chair meetings in the absence of the president. However, no other extraordinary powers are vested with the vice-president.

Ambitions

Nevertheless, the legislator also nurses the ambition to see his supporter as the taluk panchayat vice-president. Sources said Nandini (Beglihosalli constituency) and V Krishnamurthy (Gaddekannur constituency) are in the race.

There are aspirants in Congress and JD(S) too. A contestant should secure 12 votes to garner the post. The BJP and the independent put together have 11 votes, one short of the required number. Securing the crucial vote is a formidable task for the legislator. The task would be easy if Congress and JD(S) join hands.

Administrators appointed

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena appointed assistant commissioners as administrators to all the taluk panchayats in the district on January 20.
The term Mulbagal taluk panchayat came to an end on January 18, Bangarpet TP on Jan 19, Kolar TP on Jan 20 and the tenure of the Malur and Srinivaspur taluk panchayats expired on January 22.