Karnataka: Girish Channaveerappa of JD(S) elected Mayor of Hassan

Girish Channaveerappa of the Janata Dal (Secular), a member of the Hassan City Corporation (ward eight), was elected Mayor of Hassan on Wednesday, unopposed.

The post was vacant after Chandre Gowda, the previous Mayor, was disqualified as a member of the corporation on August 14, following allegations of violating the Karnataka Local Authorities (Prohibition of Defection) Act against him. Venkat Raja, Regional Commissioner of Mysuru, declared Mr. Channaveerappa elected to the post.

The strength of the corporation, comprising 35 members, was reduced by one after Mr. Gowda was disqualified. Among them, 16 were from the JD(S), 13 from the BJP, two from the Congress, while three were independents. Neither the BJP nor the Congress fielded candidates for the election.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Channaveerappa said that he thanked the party’s senior leaders, including former minister H.D. Revanna and other legislators. He added that he would work for the betterment of the city.

JD(S) legislators H.P. Swaroop Prakash and Suraj Revanna congratulated the newly elected Mayor. Suraj Revanna, MLC, said that though the JD(S) had an alliance with the BJP at the State-level, there had been no such understanding in Hassan district. “In Hassan, the BJP seems to have an unholy understanding with the Congress,” he claimed.

Earlier, Mr. Gowda of the JD(S) did retain his post as Mayor even after his party colleagues moved a no-confidence motion against him, with the support of leaders of the BJP and the Congress. As he was disqualified as a member following a complaint by JD(S), he lost the post.