A. Kalpana became first woman mayor of Coimbatore, after she was elected by 94 of the 100 councillors who were present at the Council hall on Friday.
Six councillors, including three from the AIADMK were not present in the Council when the election was underway, officials said .
The election was a closed-door affair, as the Corporation officials did not allow anybody other than councillors inside. Soon after Corporation Commissioner Raja Gopal Sunkara announced her the winner, Ms. Kalpana wore the ceremonial robe and accepted the sceptre before taking the Mayor’s seat. She then thanked the Chief Minister, Chepauk MLA Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK MP Kanimozhi, Coimbatore west unit secretary Payya alias Krishnan and other party leaders.
Minister for Electricity and Prohibition and Excise V. Senthilbalaji, along with former Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy and former Mayor P. Rajkumar greeted the new Mayor. Former Mayor R. Venkatachalam was also present. \
Soon after assuming office, Mayor Kalpana signed a file for the construction of a toilet at a Corporation school on Pioneer Mill Road.
Ward 92 Councillor R. Vetriselvan was elected unopposed as Deputy Mayor in the afternoon.
