Elections to the post of president and vice-president of the Vijayapura Zilla Panchayat here on Saturday threw up unpredictable results with two political arch-rivals clinching the top posts.
As expected, the Congress candidate Neelamma Meti won the post of president beating her nearest rival Binduraj Patil of the BJP.
However, the result of the election for the post of vice-president was surprising and unexpected. When Belagavi Division Regional Commissioner N. Jayaram asked the members to vote by raising their hands, there was a tie between Prabhu Desai of the BJP and Mallanagouda Vonakihal of the JD(S) with both securing 21 votes.
The reason: an Independent member, Devappagouda Patil, voted for the Congress for the president’s post, but against the JD(S) in the election to the post of vice-president.
Mr. Jayaram told the members that as per norms, a provision had been made for a draw of lots. Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep picked a chit with the name of Mr. Desai.
The result surprised the BJP as it had thought that the JD(S) would get the vice-president’s post.
In the 42-member ZP, no party has a majority, however the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 20 seats, while the Congress had 18, and the JD(S) three. One independent member elected. Since support of the JDS was crucial for any party, it had emerged as the ‘king maker’.
