Mangalore: Asha Thimappa Gowda and Satish Kumpala of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were elected unopposed as president and vice-President of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat here on Saturday May 31. 

M.V.Jayanti, regional  (Mysore Region) comissioner was conducted election proceedings. As Congress didn’t nominate any candidates both Gowda and Kumpala were elected unopposed. The BJP has 24 members in the 35-member Panchayat.

Speaking after election Asha Gowda said, “We have many problems in the district. The problem is that the water had to be done before. To resolve these problems we need support from all members.

Newly elected vice-president Shatish Kumpala said, I will work sincerely and promptly, we need support from all members for the development.

M.S. Mohammad, opposition leader, said the Congress – with 11 seats in the Panchayat – desisted from placing a nomination as it would be “opposing the BJP’s candidature for the sake of opposing”.

After a customary ten minute period allowing both candidates to withdraw their nominations at the ZP auditorium, M.V. Jayanthi, Regional Commissioner announced the start of their 20-month tenure from June 8 to February 7, 2016.

This is the third and final election for the posts of president and vice-president for the current council.