Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 11: Shambhu Bhat from the BJP, elected from Bettampady constituency, was elected as the new president of Puttur taluk panchayat. Bhat, an advocate by profession, and backed by the experience of having functioned as the president of Bettampady gram panchayat in the past, has entered taluk panchayat for the first time. Election to the post was held on Thursday February 10.

Pulasya Rai, representing Shiradi constituency, who was elected to the taluk panchayat for the second term, was chosen as the vice-president. Rai had earlier worked as the president of Kutruppady gram panchayat, chairperson of the standing committee of Puttur taluk panchayat, and district president of BJP Mahila Morcha. Both of them were elected unanimously. In the 22-member taluk panchayat, BJP has 16 members, Congress has five, while the JDS is represented by a lone member.

In Sullia, Muliya Keshava Bhat from Guttigar constituency was elected as the president of the local taluk panchayat. Gunavati Kollantadka, who represents Jalsoor constituency, got elected as the vice-president. In the 13-member taluk panchayat, BJP has seven members. Although Congress party fielded Anil Rai for the post of the president, and Rajeevi Uddampady for the post of the vice-president, both the BJP candidates got elected.

Keshava Bhat is a young graduate, who was an active leader of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. He happens to be the president of Yuva Morcha. He is backed by the experience of having functioned as the director of a couple of cooperative institutions and president of Guttigar Yuvaka Mandal. Gunavati had worked as the member of Kanakamajal gram panchayat and president the self-help group under Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Rural Development Project.