Chandrashekar to be Mayor, Shankar deputy

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, NOV. 23. The Hanumanthnagar corporator, Mr. K.Chandrashekar, and the Lingarajapuram corporator, Mr. R.Shankar, have emerged as Congress consensus candidates for the posts of 39th Mayor and 40th Deputy Mayor respectively.

The two are all set to be unanimously elected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor on Saturday. The Congress leaders arrived at a consensus after hectic lobbying by the legislators who wanted to push their candidates.

Although the Congress leaders claimed that there was no difference of opinion among legislators over the choice of candidates, sources said at least two MLAs, besides Ms. Vasanthi Shivanna and several corporators, were not in favour of Mr. Chandrashekar's candidature. However, they were convinced after a series of meetings throughout the day.

At the breakfast meeting convened by the Bangalore City District Congress Committee President, Mr. Ramalinga Reddy, individual opinion of corporators was sought. Later, the Congress legislators met in the afternoon and arrived at a consensus. The final choice was conveyed to the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M.Krishna, at his residence in the evening, who gave his approval for the candidature of Mr. Chandrashekar.

Mr. Chandrashekar has been elected to the BMP Council for the third time in a row with a record margin of 10,000 votes. Mr. R.Shankar is a first time corporator and belongs to the Kuruba community. Although the two posts are reserved for the general category as per the roster, both the candidates, who can be accommodated in other categories, have been given an opportunity.

Mr. C.M.Nagaraj (Gayathrinagar), Mr. M.Lakshminarayana (Gali Anjaneya Swami Devasthana), and Mr. P.R.Ramesh (V.V.Puram) where the front runners in the mayoral race. Although these candidates were backed by senior Congress leaders, they were persuaded to give up their claim in favour of Mr. Chandrashekar.

Sources said the Chief Minister preferred Mr. Chandrashekar as he did not want to attract criticism by nominating a Vokkaliga candidate to the top post in the first year. Mr. Krishna belongs to the same community.

BJP to boycott poll

Meanwhile, the BJP has decided to boycott the mayoral poll protesting against alleged malpractice in the elections.

The Janata Dal (Secular) is all set to emerge as the principal Opposition in the BMP Council. The strength of the JD(S) has increased from 13 to 15 with two independents joining it recently. Two more are expected to join the party on Saturday.

Elections to the Eight Standing Committees are also likely to be held on Saturday.

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Section  : Southern States
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