Mysuru: Parimala Shyam of JD(S) and Gowramma Somashekar from Congress were unanimously elected as President and Vice President respectively, of Mysuru Zilla Panchayat. The JD(S) had almost decided to go with the BJP as its coalition partner for Zilla Panchayat President election, but finally teamed up with the Congress.
As per the government’s order, the ZP President post was reserved for Backward Class (A) Women, and Vice President post for General Category. JD (S) leaders decided to go with Parimala Shyam as its Presidential candidate which was also backed by its coalition partner, while Gowramma Somashekar who had defeated district minister GT Devegowda’s wife Lalitha in the Zilla Panchayat election was the Congress candidate for the Vice President’s post which was backed by the JD(S).
No candidates filed nomination for the post of the President, apart from Parimala Shyam. However, Gowramma Somashekar would have had to face competition from BJP candidate AM Guruswamy if the latter had not withdrawn his nomination. Both Parimala Shyam and Gowramma Somashekar were elected unanimously.
Parimala Shyam, the new President of Mysuru Zilla Panchayat said “I want to thank our senior leaders including JD(S) chief HD Devegowda, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, district minister GT Devegowda and Tourism Minister SR Mahesh for selecting me from the party for the Zilla Panchyat President post. My top priority is to provide good infrastructure to government schools in rural areas. I also want to see that all government welfare schemes reach people. Apart from this proper drinking water, health and cleanliness are also other important work to which I will be giving more emphasis. I will also try to get more funds for Mysuru Zilla Panchyat”.
Gowramma Somashekar assured to give overall importance to drinking water, education, health and drainage system.