The former MP Ramesh V. Katti was elected president for a five-year term in the Belagavi District Central Cooperative Bank elections here on Saturday.
He defeated his rival and sitting president of the bank Laxman Savadi, MLA (Athani). Subash Gireppa Dhavaleshwar was elected vice-president by defeating the sitting vice-president Mahantesh Basvantaraya Dodgoudar.
Both Mr. Katti and Mr. Dhavaleshwar won with a solitary vote; they polled nine votes each while their rival contestants polled eight votes each. Mr. Katti attributed his victory to his services during 12-and-a-half years as the bank’s president.
Both Mr. Katti and Mr. Savadi belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Mr. Katti, Mr. Savadi and were elected uncontested to the 16-member board of directors of the bank. Four other members who were also elected uncontested were Arvind Patil, MLA (Khanapur), Annasaheb Shankar Jolle, Mahanteshwar Basvantaraya Dodgoudar and Panchangoud Basangoud Dyamangoudar.
Of the 16 members, 12 retained their membership while four are new faces – Mr.Ankalgi, Neelkanth Basavaraj Kappalguddi, Devgoud Tammangoud Patil and Laxmanrao Ajjappa Chingle.
