Mangaluru: Meenakshi Shantigodu of BJP has been elected as President of Dakshina Kannada zilla panchaya while BJP’s Kasturi Panja is the Vice-President. The post of the president was reserved for SC/ST community and post of the vice-president was kept aside for general category.

The election was held on Thursday, April 28.

Meenakshi Shantigodu trounced her opponent Shekar Kukkedi from Congress with a margin of six votes. She secured 21 votes as against 15 by Kukkedi.

Kasturi Panja of BJP defeated Anitha Hemanath Shetty from Congress by the same margin of votes.

Speaking to reporters later, the newly-elected president Meenakshi said that her priority is to solve drinking water problem and focus on basic amenities in rural areas.

Meanwhile, in a press meet, BJP District President Pratap Simha Nayak said that the results of the Town Panchayat polls have only reflected the mood of the people, said BJP District President Pratap Simha Nayak.

“People are unhappy with the Congress rule and during the upcoming Assembly polls, the Congress will be shown the door,” he opined.

The Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat, elections to which were held in February this year, has 36 seats, out of which BJP had won 21 and Congress 15.

Election officer A M Kunjappa, ZP CEO Srividya and other officials were present.