BJP members elected as Zila Parishad chiefs

HAVERI: BJP has made systematic plans to get the support of four Congress members and one JD(S) member and with this has managed to get both coveted posts for its members. Though Congress has the majority with its 15 members in the 32-member house, it failed to keep its flock intact.
BJP having 12 seats in the house, got support of others like Congress and JD(S) and thus employed `Operation Lotus' successfully.Sharada Hadimani of BJP secured 19 votes and elected as president against the Congress candidate Manjula Balikai who got only 13 votes. In the same way BJP candidate Basavaraj Kambali elected as vice-president against Congress candidate N B Gourkkanavar.
Regional commissioner (Belgaum) and election officer B H Manjunath announced the results here. Public works minister C M Udasi, MLAs Nehru Olekar & Sureshgouda Patil, MP Shivakumar Udasi, MLC Shivaraj Sajjanar and district BJP unit president and chairman CADA Somanna Bevinmarad, were present. Interestingly, none of the Congress leaders were present.