Udupi : BJP candidate Savitha Shivanand Kotian was elected as the Udupi Zilla Panchayat president and Prakash T Mendon as vice-president, held on August 7, Thursday.

Election officer Jayanthi, deputy commissioner Muddu Mohan and CEO Kanagavalli conducted the election.

Reportedly, elected president Savitha Shivanand Kotian (38) has been a BJP activist and won the Zilla Panchayat election from Belmon in 2005.

Speaking on the occasion, she said that as the president she would assure to provide pure drinking water and good roads to the people.

The union government has reduced the powers of Zilla Panchayat president and funds allotted to them, she regretted.

Vice president, Prakash T Mendon (40), hailing from Basrur, has won the election for the first time. He also said that he would give importance and improve sanitation, health and education in the district.