from our political correspondent, pics by Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Nov 4: In spite of Congress' enjoying a bulldozer majority in the civic body, it is perhaps resigned to its fate of being a divided house. It is over a decade that the party has been functioning around two or three centres of power. It does not seem to realize that it is because of the division that the BJP has been winning the assembly and Lok Sabha seats.

Kavita Sanil

Chinks in its armour were very much in display on Friday with a rebel candidate, Kavita Sanil, winning to head the works committee with the help of the opposition BJP which never misses any opportunity to embarrass the ruling party.

Sanil was a strong aspirant for the post, with the support of veteran James D'Souza, according to party sources. Both were aspiring for the post each. However, district party president Blasius M D'Souza issued an order in favour of Kamalaksha Salian. But Sanil defied the order and won the election.

Party sources also said disciplinary action is likely to be taken against Kavita Sanil - and possibly James D'Souza too.

Other committee heads elected are Mahabala Maarla for health, Gilbert Pinto for finance and Deepak Poojary for accounts.

Observers feel that with the civic elections due in less than a year's time, serious damage control measures are necessary for Congress for its rejuvenatiaon.