Cong members elected as chairpersons of Bhandara, Gondia ZPs

Congress candidates Usha Mendhe and Bhagyashree Gilorkar were today elected as chairpersons of Zilla Parishads of Gondia and Bhandara respectively.
In the 53-member ZP in Gondia, Mendhe polled 33 votes against NCP's Rajlaxmi Turkar who secured 20 votes whereas in Bhandara ZP, Gilorkar bagged 39 votes against 13 of BJP's Nilima Ilme.
BJP candidate Rachna Gahane won vice-chairperson's post in Gondia ZP, while NCP's Rajesh Dongre got elected in the position in Bhandara ZP.
Interestingly, Congress joined hands with the BJP to get its candidate elected as chairperson in Gondia ZP despite its low strength. Both the parties did not officially announce any pact for the purpose.

In Bhandara, however, Congress got support of the NCP.
The party-wise strength in Gondia is: NCP (20), BJP (17) and Congress (16) and that in Bhandara: Congress (19), NCP (15), BJP (13), Shiv Sena (1) and Independents (4).
The elections for both the ZPs were held recently. However, no party could secure a clear mandate in either ZPs, with the NCP (20) emerging as the single largest party in Gondia and Congress (19) in Bhandara.