Daijiworld Media Network -Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 31: As per internal understanding within BJP, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat (ZP) president, Meenakshi Shantigodu has to make way for a new president, it is said. Relating to this, an important meeting was held here on Wednesday January 30.

As per an understanding reached within the party, Menakshi was to demit her charge in favour of K P Sujata, BJP member representing Shirtady zilla panchayat constituency. To work out the modalities, a meeting of BJP zilla panchayat members was held before the 15th general session of the zilla pancyhayat here. It was presided over by BJP district president, Sanjeeva Matandoor, party sources stated.

Because of this meeting, BJP ZP members were late to attend the ZP general session by 30 minutes. In the 36-member zilla panchayat, BJP has a strength of 21, and Congress 15. As the reservation for the president's post was set aside for scheduled caste category. BJP has two eligible members in this category, K P Sujata and Meenakshi Shantigodu. Meenakshi was made president for the first half of the term with the understanding that the post would be given to Sujata on expiry of two and half years. Similarly, the post of the vice president was allotted to two women for 30 months each, with the first term going to Kasturi Panja.

It is said that as per this understanding, the current president and vice president were to leave the posts in favour of others in October last year. Therefore, there is increasing demand within the party to remove them and give the post to others, it is learnt.

BJP district president, Sanjeeva Matandoor, said that no final decision has been taken about replacing the current president and vice president of the zilla panchayat. Meenakshi stated that the party's decision in this respect would be final and binding.