Daijiworld Media Network - Shivamogga

Shivamogga, Nov 28: Latha Ganesha of BJP is Shivamogga City Corporation’s new mayor. Wife of an auto-rickshaw driver, Latha defeated Manjula Shivanna of Congress by bagging 26 votes, while the latter received only 12.

For the post of deputy mayor, BJP’s S N Channabasappa emerged winner by defeating H C Yogish of the Congress. Even here, BJP bagged 26 votes while Congress won 12.

Shivamogga City Corporation has a 40-member strength including MLAs and MLCs.

39 members took part in the election, of which 23 were from BJP, eight from Congress, two from JD(S), one SDPI, one independent, two MLAs and two MLCs. Of these, one corporator did not back either Congress or BJP.

The post of the mayor was reserved for SC women.

Latha Ganesha is an active member of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) and served as zonal vice president for six years.

Known for her administration skills, she was made BJP president of Gadikoppa ward. Her husband Ganesha is proud of his wife’s achievement and assured to stand by her. She has three daughters and a son. Her son also drives an auto rickshaw in Hubballi.

Latha’s brother R Lakshman is a BJP worker and she joined the party with his encouragement.

When queried on how she feels on being elected the mayor, she said that she will keep the development of all 34 wards as her focus and execute development works under the Smart City Mission.