Karnataka   

Bhadravati CMC: rebel Congress councillors elected to key posts

BHADRAVATI: Rebel Congress councillors Sheikh Mehbub Sab and Savitramma were elected president and vice-president respectively of the Bhadravati City Municipal Council (CMC) on Wednesday with the support of the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The former Janata Dal (S) MLA M.J. Appaji proved his clout by dealing a blow to the Congress as he managed to win over its three councillors to the Janata Dal (S) and also ensured the election of two of them to the key posts, much to the chagrin of the Congress leadership.

The elections, considered a prestige issue for Mr. Appaji and B.K. Sangamesh of the Congress, former MLAs forBhadravati, were held under tight police security.

Mr. Mehbub Sab defeated the official Congress candidate Rahat Hassan by one vote in the 35-member council. Ms. Savitramma was unanimously elected vice-president as there was no councillor belonging to the BCM (B) group for which the post was reserved.

According to a pre-election understanding, Devika, another rebel Congress councillor, has been promised to be fielded as a candidate for the vice-president’s post after the incumbent completes her 15-month term.

The 13 Janata Dal (S) councillors arrived at the municipal office along with the three rebel Congress councillors and the two BJP councillors.

As they entered the meeting hall, B.K. Mohan of the Congress raised objection to the association of the three councillors of his party with the Janata Dal (S) and demanded that the Election Officer take action against them under the provisions of the Anti-Defection Act.

This provoked Janata Dal (S) councillors to counter the allegations.

Meanwhile, Congress MLC Venkatmuni Reddy, who had come as the party’s observer, recommended suitable action against the three councillors and three others of the party who reportedly supported them.

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