Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 27: Reliable sources say that BJP is thinking of affecting change of guard in Dakshina Kannada (DK) zilla panchayat, as it feels that this way, two eligible zilla panchayat members will get to share power at the rate of 30 months each in the five-year term of the zilla panchayat.

Meenakshi Shantigodu, the current incumbent, had assumed charge on April 28, 2016. The district BJP leaders had decided then that two of its members would share the power during the current term of the zilla panchayat. However, officially this was not announced. As Meenakshi has completed her share of 30 months now, it is said, BJP leaders are considering the prospects of handing over the mantle of the zilla panchayat to Sujata K P.

Meenakshi Shantigodu

The zilla panchayat president's post here has been earmarked for a candidate belonging to scheduled caste. BJP has only two eligible zilla panchayat members who conform to this reservation criterion. They happen to be Meenakshi Shantigodu and Sujata K P. When the matter of choosing candidate to lead the zilla apanchayat cropped up over two years back, there had been demand to make Sujata the president as the party badly felt the need to strengthen the party in Moodbidri area. However, in order to wrest Puttur constituency from the hands of the Congress, Meenakshi Shantigodu representing Panaje constituency was made the president in a unanimous decision.

The post of zilla panchayat president now enjoys the status of minister of state. The current term of the zilla panchayat president ends on April 27, 2021.

With the change in president, the zilla panchayat might also undergo change of vice president, Kasturi Panja, who represents Kateel constituency. As this post is reserved for general category, all the 13 women BJP representatives in the zilla panchayat are eligible for this post.