Meenakshi Shantigodu elected Dakshina Kannada ZP chief, Kasturi Panja deputy

Mangaluru, Apr 28: Meenakshi Shantigodu and Kasturi Panja of Bharatiya Janata Party have been elected the president and vice-president of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat respectively on Thursday.

Elections to the zilla panchayats across the state including Dakshina Kannada were held in February this year. While Congress member Shekar Kukkedi was in fray for the president's post, Anitha Hemanath Shetty of the party contested for the post of vice-president.

The BJP candidates defeated their Congress counter parts by bagging 21 votes each in the zilla panchayat, which has a strength of 36 members. Congress candidates bagged 15 votes each.

The post of the president was reserved for SC/ST candidates while the vice-president post was for general category. The election officer AM Kunjappa conducted the election process and announced the result. The term of the newly elected president and vice-president will end in 20 months.

Priority for water'

Speaking to reporters after her victory, the new Zilla Panchayat president said that more emphasis will be given to provide drinking water to villages in the district.

“Basic facilities will be provided and roads will be developed in rural areas. Efforts will be made to implement all government schemes in the district effectively,” she promised adding that problems of all sections of the society including members of the backward communities and Dalits will be solved through a transparent administration.