PUC no match for SSLC

Sharadamma, an SSLC pass, emerges unopposed to be new mayor after trumping fellow contender Roopa, who is a PUC pass; BJP consider qualifications, but back her anyway

PUC no match for SSLC

Sharadamma, an SSLC pass, emerges unopposed to be new mayor after trumping fellow contender Roopa, who is a PUC pass; BJP consider qualifications, but back her anyway

In a closely fought internal battle, BJP councilor Sharadamma (representing Shettihalli) topped party mate Roopa Ramesh (representing Bilekahalli ward) to become the new mayor of the city in the BBMP council polls yesterday.

Amidst cloudy skies, police personnel scan the grounds, during practice session for the IPL Season 4 match, which will be played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India at the Chinnaswamy stadium today

Educational qualification was taken into consideration, and while Sharadamma is SSLC pass, Roopa has done her PUC. The argument was that Roopa should be chosen because of higher educational qualifications. But it appears that SSLC won over PUC and Sharadamma emerged victorious.

Senior leaders of the party met in a hotel and selected Sharadamma as the candidate for the mayoral elections. With the principal opposition party Congress not fielding its candidate, the election process was just a formality.

Face off
This year, according to the roster, the post is for a term of one year and is reserved for a woman from scheduled caste and both, Sharadamma and Roopa emerged as strong contenders.

While Minister for Home and Transport R Ashok and Legislator Muniraju backed Sharadamma, Minister for Power and Food and Civil Supply Shobha Karandlaje and MLA Satish Reddy supported Roopa.

Ashok said, "The city is going to have a first woman scheduled caste mayor and we are proud to contribute from the party. I am sure Sharadamma will be a good administrator."

Sharadamma's husband Ramanjaneya was ecstatic on hearing that she had been chosen and he said, It is because of God's grace and blessings of our leaders that my wife has become the mayor.

Outgoing Mayor S K Nataraj congratulates Sharadamma over her appointment as the new city mayor.

She will prove that educational qualifications are not important to be a good administrator, but the sincerity to serve people is the best qualification."

Also ran
The deputy mayor post is reserved for backward class (category A) and B Somashekar (Shakabai Nagar) and close associate of BJP State President K S Eswarappa and a fellow Kuruba, Padmaraj (Basaveswara Nagar), M Revanna (Ramamurthy Nagar) and D Venkatesha Murthy (Kattariguppe) were in the race. However, the leaders decided in favour of Harish from the Nagapura ward.

B R Najundappa from J P Park ward was chosen to be the floor leader of the Opposition party in the council.
The council will meet tomorrow and the new mayor and deputy mayor will chair the meeting.

Did you know?
Sharadamma is city's first woman mayor from scheduled caste