Mangaluru: Jacintha Alfred, four time corporator of falnir ward is the new Mayor of the Mangalore City Corporation. She won the mayoral election with a comfortable majority of 38 to 20 on Thursday March 12. The election was held at MCC premises at 11.30 am.
The mayor’s post was reserved for woman candidate this time. Jacintha from Congress and Roopa D Bangera from BJP filed nominations for the post.
The 20 BJP members in the council voted for Roopa Bangera while 38 Congress party members, including MLAs Mohiuddin Bava and J R Lobo and MLC Ivan D’Souza voted against her and in favour of Jacintha. Five council members were neutral. A total of 63 votes were cast, with Nalin Kumar Kateel MP, BJP and Ganesh Karnik, MLC, BJP not present.
Questions over voting rights of JR Lobo, MLA were raised by the BJP as he had come late, but the returning officer ruled in his favour.
All 60 members of the council were present and voted.
Deputy Mayor
For the post of Deputy Mayor, K. Rajesh of the BJP contested against Purushottam Chitrapur of the Congress. While K. Rajesh secured 19 votes Purushottam Chitrapur secured 37 with neutral votes accounting for 5 of which SDPI 1, Independent – 1, JD (S) – 2, CPI -1. Mohideen Bawa was not present for the Deputy Mayor’s ballot. He was delcared as the Deputy Mayor.
Mayor and ex-Mayor vow for continuity
Mayor Jacintha Alfred speaking after being voted to the post said the path of progress taken by former Mayor Mahabala Marla would be followed by her. As a four time corporator, since 16 years, she has been working for people and now as a mayor, will continue to do the same.
On the other hand she expressed her gratitude to party leaders, and workers for giving an opportunity to hold the post. The Deputy Mayor expressed that he would work closely with the Mayor to ensure the progress of the city.
However, former Mayor Mahabala Marla, in reply to a question on whether a one year term is sufficient to materialize the vision, said, “one year is less, and according to Mangalore City Corporation Act Mayor enjoys less powers compared to a few other corporations functioning in other states, namely Maharashtra, Kolkata and Kerala”.
Had the term stipulated been at least two and a half year projects like waste disposal, water supply, underground drainage system could be completely implemented. He said to reporters that-he had spoke to new Mayor to walk the talk to finish incomplete projects taken up during his tenure.
Elections to select the membership of the four statutory committees – Tax and Finance Committee, Public Health, Education and Social Justice, Town Planning and Development, Accounts Committee was held. Seven members each were elected unopposed for all the committees.
Tax and Finance Statutory Committee
Raghuveer
Hemalatha R Salian
A C Vinayaraj
Harinath
Ashok Shetty
Rajendra
Akila
Public Health, Education and Social Justice
Gunashekar Shetty
Poornima
Prakash B Salian
Ratikala
Nagaveni
Rajaneesh
Pratibha Kulai
Town Planning and Development
Tilak Raj
Divakar
Deepak K Poojary
Shailaja
Kumari Appi
Lata Salian
Basheer
Accounts Committee
Meera Karkera
Jayanti Achar
Asha D’silva
Keshav
Sumaiah
B Prakash
Vijay Kumar
