Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has elected Manoj Kumar, representing the Derebail Ward, as the new Mayor and Banumathi from the Bolar Ward as Deputy Mayor.

The elections were held on Thursday and Kumar's election as Mayor was uncontested, as the position was reserved for a Scheduled Caste candidate.

Kumar, the only candidate to file his nomination, represented the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress party did not field any candidates for the mayoral position as it lacked eligible members.

Regional Commissioner Ramesh officially declared Kumar as the Mayor.

For the post of Deputy Mayor, three candidates initially entered the race: Congress's Zeenat Shamshuddin, and BJP's Bhanumathi PS and Vanita Prasad.

Although all nominations were valid, Vanita Prasad later withdrew her candidacy.

In the final vote, Bhanumathi secured 47 votes from BJP members, while Zeenat Shamshuddin garnered support from 14 Congress members. One Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) member abstained from voting.

Bhanumathi was elected as Deputy Mayor.

The new leadership is expected to steer MCC's administration for the upcoming term with a focus on enhancing civic services and local development.

The new mayor and his deputy will be in power only for the next six months as the council's tenure will come to an end in March, 2025.

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Davangere: Reports state that two groups engaged in stone pelting at each other during Ganesha idol immersion ceremony in Davangere on Thursday. Two police personnel were injured in the incident.

Few days ago, two groups of youth engaged in verbal altercation regarding raising of a flag for Eid Milad celebration. On account of the clashes, police had heightened security for the Ganesha procession. Despite the additional security, stones were pelted at the procession, sources stated. Inspector Gururaj and constable Raghavendra were injured in the incident. The procession continued after the police brought the situation to control. However, the stone pelting resumed once again as the procession surged forwards.

Security has been tightened up in the area and all shops have been closed down by the police. The two police personnel, who were injured in the stone pelting, are undergoing treatment at a hospital.