From our Udupi office
UDUPI: The Operation Lotus of the BJP in Udupi Taluk Panchayat has met with success with the BJP taking over the reins of power in the taluk panchayat which was under Congress rule, by making a Congress member as the TP chief.
If Congress was enjoying 23 seats in Udupi taluk panchayat, the BJP had 17 seats. The entire scenario of the TP with Congress as its ruling party changed when Congress members Rajaram Sasthan and Sadanand Hegde joined the BJP. On the other hand BJP member Ramesh Kanchan had joined the Congress changing the political equation to 22-18.
Shyamala Sudhaker and Bhagyalakshmi of the Congress were aspirants for the top posts. However, the BJP which played the trick, gave Shyamala Sudhaker, two times TP chief, yet another chance. If Shyamala Sudhaker enjoyed the support of 20 members, Bhagyalakhsmi, the official Congress candidate could get the support of only 18 members. If Vasanth Poojari Marne of the Congress and Ramesh Hegde of the BJP had abstained, Congress member Malathi Shetty voted for Shyamala Sudhaker.
The post of vice president went to Sowmya of the BJP who was backed by 19 members of the BJP and Congress while Prema Timma Poojari of the Congress could get the support of only 18 members.
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