Shettihalli Corporator Sharadamma Ramanjaneya is Bengaluru’s new mayor. Pic: Navya P K.

Shettihalli Corporator Sharadamma Ramanjaneya and Nagapura Corporator S Harish are now Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Bangalore in 2011-12. Elections held on Friday April 29th were smooth as the ruling party had already reached a consensus and no additional nominations were filed.

When asked about her plans for the city, Sharadamma said, "The city will be beautified. Managing garbage and managing storm water drains to prevent flooding during rains, will be priorities. Welfare measures will be introduced for women, disabled and other minorities."

Sharadamma flanked by BJP women workers after the Council meeting. Pic: Navya P K.

Celebrations began at the BJP office in the Council building soon after the nominations were filed. A formal announcement was made about two hours later at the council session at 12.30 pm.

Deputy Mayor S Harish speaking to media after the nominations. Pic: Navya P K.

As nominations had to be filed for electing of Standing Committee (SC) members, the ruling and opposition members could not arrive at a consensus. There are 12 SCs in BBMP, each comprising 11 corporators. The session was adjourned for post-lunch, but was later adjourned to Saturday. The formal reason given for this was that not enough members turned up for the post-lunch session, though officials acknowledged that lack of consensus was the reason.

Ruling and opposition parties discussing nominations for Standing Committees (SCs). The discussions took long and the SC elections were adjouned to Saturday. Pic: Navya P K.

Taxation and Finance Committee members have already been selected. Opposition lead M Nagaraj later said that Congress will have the same members as last year in all SCs; there are four Congress members in each SC. ⊕