Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 12: As per the reservation criteria announced by the state government, both the posts, that of the president and vice president, of Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat (ZP), have been earmarked for women members hailing from general category. This also effectively means that women, who have got elected from other categories, can also nurse the hope of becoming the president of this zilla panchayat.

Out of 24 zilla panchayat members, who have got elected on BJP symbol, 13 are women. Among them, six have got elected as general candidates. And again, among these six members, Asha Timmappa Gowda is the only person to have got elected for the second term. Asha also has the experience of having worked as the chairperson of the standing committee of the zilla panchayat and therefore, has a bright chance of getting this coveted post. In all likelihood, the post of the vice president may go to a new face.

In the last two terms too, the post of the ZP president had been reserved for general category. During these two terms, Sucharita Shetty and Santosh Kumar Bhandary had functioned as zilla panchayat presidents. The post of the president and vice president of the ZPs have a term of 20 months each,. In addition, chairmanships of standing committees  will also be available for the ZP members.