In a major set back for the BJP, Dharwad Zilla Panchayat president Chaitra Shirur was dislodged from her position as a no-confidence motion moved against her was approved at a special general body meeting here on Tuesday.
The Congress moved the no-confidence motion against Ms. Shirur of the BJP. The 22-member House has 11 Congress, 10 BJP and one Independent.
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer B.C. Satish said that 16 members supported the no-confidence motion, while six members opposed it. Interestingly, four BJP members, Manjavva Harijan, Annappa Desai, Jyoti Bentur and Ratna Patil, and the independent member and Zilla Panchayat vice-president Shivanand Karigar supported the no-confidence motion. Later, speaking to presspersons Ms. Chaitra Shirur said that the Congress had “bribed the four BJP members to support the no-confidence motion.” She said that these members, who were elected on the BJP symbol, have betrayed the people of their constituencies by joining hands with the Congress.
However, Mr. Karigar said that when the election results were out in 2016, no party could get the majority in the House, and the BJP managed to attain power with his support. During that time it was decided that Ms. Chaitra Shirur will be the panchayat president for a period of 20 months. However, she refused to resign after completing 20 months in office. Other BJP members, who were fed up with her “adamant behaviour”, now supported the no-confidence motion moved by the Congress, he said.
Mr. Karigar, who became the panchayat vice-president after aligning with the BJP, said that he will not join hands with that party again. Instead, he will cooperate with the Congress to elect the new panchayat president. He has also expressed the confidence of retaining his position in the zilla panchayat. The BJP has said that four of its members have supported the no-confidence motion defying the whip issued by the party. It will seek action against them under the provisions of the anti-defection law. However, Mr. Satish said that a report will be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner about the developments in the panchayat. It is for the Deputy Commissioner to decide whether the provisions of the anti-defection law can be invoked against the four BJP members who have supported the no-confidence motion, Mr. Satish said.
