Karkala municipal council gets Muslim woman president for first time

R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (EP)

Karkala, Sep 16: For the first time in the history of Karkala municipal council, a Muslim lady has been elected the president of the council.

Cholpady resident representing Kabettu ward 23, Rahmat was elected the president at the council. She has studied till PUC in Board college, is married to Nasir Hussain and has a son. She has been an active Congress worker.

Karkala municipal council has 23 members, among whom 12 belong to Congress and 11 to BJP. While Rahmat had submitted her nomination from Congress, Lalitha R Bhat had submitted her nomination from BJP. In addition, Congress councilor and MP Jayaprakash Hegde and BJP councilor and MP Sunil Kumar also cast their votes.

Election officer tahsildar Babu Devadiga announced that Rahmat won the election with 13 votes while Lalitha secured 12.

Congress members Rahmat, Nalini Vijendra Achari, Priya Ajri and Shanti were interested in the post. However, senior leaders of Congress and the party stand has enabled Rahmat to get the post.

Post of vice-president to BJP due to reservation

The post of vice-president was reserved for a Scheduled Caste candidate as per the notification. The only person elected in the category is Shashikala Rane. Her unanimous election to the post of vice-president brought joy in BJP circles. She had stood for elections in ward number 8 which was considered a Congress fort and won under the BJP symbol. Former president Pratima Mohan Rane had won elections under Congress here.
 
Second grade tahsildar Manikya, chief officer Gopalakrishna Shetty and others participated in the election process.