Mangaluru: Will focus on development, don't invite me for inaugurations: New mayor
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Mar 11: Newly-elected mayor of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Harinath on Friday March 11 said that during his tenure of one year, he would focus on the development of the city and requested people not to invite him for inauguration of programmes so that he could have more time on hand.
Addressing a press meet after the mayoral elections on Friday, in which he won with 36 votes and Sumitra Kariya of BJP was elected deputy mayor with 20 votes, Harinath said, "Congress has gives various programmes for the development of the city and welfare of the people. During my tenure too, I will give importance to development.
"I request people not to invite me for inaugurations or other programmes. If I keep inaugurating programmes, I will not have enough time to focus on development," he added.
Listing out the plans he has for developing the city, he said, "I plan to rebuild the underground drainage (UGD) system. The NHAI plans to build a flyover at KPT road, and if it permits, we will build UGD on this stretch.
"Two free ambulances have been sanctioned and tender process is on. Initially only one will be introduced by a private firm through the MCC.
"I will also give importance to health sector. Malaria is already under control," he added.
"Also, I aim to make Mangaluru free of plastic. I urge people to use less plastic and thereby support me in this mission," he said.
He also said that during his tenure, efforts will be made to upgrade Central Market, and markets at Kankanady, Suratkal, Kavoor and Alake. "The shops at Bejai market building will be auctioned on March 28," he informed.
"The trade licence issual will be made systematic and problems related to garbage disposal will also be resolved," Harinath added.
Former mayor Shashidhar Hegde was present.
Earlier Report
Harinath is new mayor of Mangaluru, Sumitra Kariya deputy
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Mar 11: As expected, five-time councillor Harinath, corporator of Marakada from the ruling Congress, has been elected new mayor of Mangaluru city. Suratkal corporator Sumitra Kariya of BJP has been chosen as the deputy mayor.
The mayoral elections were held at the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) here on Friday March 11.
This time, the post of the mayor was reserved for the general category and that of deputy mayor for a woman candidate from SC/ST community.
Harinath from Congress and Roopa D Bangera from BJP contested for the mayor's post. As Congress has no candidate fulfiling the deputy mayor's reservation criteria, BJP's Sumitra Kariya was unanimously chosen for the post.
Harinath won the elections garnering 36 votes, while Roopa Bangera got the 20 votes of BJP.
Speaking to mediapersons, Harinath thanked district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai and other Congress leaders and said, "I had been deprived of this post from many years but this time Ramanath Rai and leaders like the two MLAs J R Lobo and Mohiuddin Bava, MLC Ivan D'Souza, minster U T Khader, Veerappa Moily, Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes, Janardhan Poojary and others supported me. I am thankful to them, and I also thank the Congress corporators for voting for me. I specially thank Shashidhar Hegde for helping me." He also urged the opposition BJP to cooperate and support him during his tenure.
Sumitra Kariya thanked BJP councillors and party leaders for supporting her and said that she would work for the development of the city during her tenure.
Altogether, out of 65 voters including MLAs and MLCs, 62 including J R Lobo were present and cast their votes.
All the 60 corporators were present for the elections. Among them, 35 are from Congress, 20 from BJP, two from JD(S) and one each from CPM and SDPI and an Independent.
The returning officer was A M Kunjappa.
The election took place in the presence of MCC commissioner Dr H N Gopalkrishna and additional commissioner K M Gayatri.
More details and photos to be added
Earlier Report
Corporator Harinath to be new mayor of Mangaluru?
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Mar 11: With hours to go for Mangaluru City Corporation's mayoral elections, it is almost certain that corporator Harinath will take over the reigns this year.
The mayor's post this time is reserved for the general category, hence there were initially over 30 aspirants in the ruling Congress.
Harinath
Sumitra Kariya
The Congress leaders and councillors had a late evening meeting at the Circuit House here on Thursday March 10, following which, sources said that Harinath would be the party's choice.
However, three-time councillor Bhaskar Moily is also a front-runner for the plum post, but Harinath's seniority, having won council elections five times since 1984, may tip the scale in his favour, sources said, adding that the competition was tough.
Harinath is the corporator of ward no 14, Marakada, while Bhaskar Moily is the corporator of ward 36, Padavu (east). Harinath is also the president of the standing committee for finance and taxation of MCC. He was a front-runner for the post in 2014 too, but Mahabala Maarla was chosen over him.
Also, it is also almost certain that Suratkal corporator Sumitra Kariya of BJP will be the deputy mayor, as the post is reserved for woman candidate from SC/ST category and Congress has no one who fits the bill.
The election will be held on Friday March 11 at 11 am.