MANGALORE: Election of the president and vice-president of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat is scheduled to be held on Saturday and the two candidates in the fray are Shayana Jayananda from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Mamatha Gatti from the Congress. The president's post has been reserved for a woman of the Backward Community (A) and since both the women in this category belong to parties that are trying to hold on to power in the State with the help of the Janata Dal (Secular), it is difficult to predict who will be elected president of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat. According to sources in the Congress, Ms. Gatti from Kolnadu constituency in Buntwal taluk will be elected president, as the Congress is continuing with its alliance with Janata Dal (S) for this seat. However, the BJP is hopeful of aligning with the Janata Dal (S) and electing Ms. Jayananda to the post. The Janata Dal (S) has emerged a king-maker though it holds only five seats, while the BJP and the Congress have 15 seats each. Things would have been better for the Janata Dal (S) and the Congress had their coalition in the State not run into problems. According to senior Janata Dal (S) leader in the district Vasanth Bangera, his party will continue to support the Congress. District president of the Congress Blasius M. D'Souza reiterated that the Congress will continue the coalition with the Janata Dal (S). However, according to the BJP leader D.V. Sadananda Gowda, MP, the BJP is all set to align with the Janata Dal (S). Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Sadananda Gowda said that he has met leaders of the Janata Dal (S) to align with the BJP for the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat. He said things are looking bright for his party not only in the district but also in the State. It is likely that the vice-president's post of the zilla panchayat will be occupied by a Janata Dal (S) candidate. According to party leaders, Dharanendra Kumar has been suggested for the vice-president.

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