Mysore/Mysuru: In a significant appointment, the State BJP on Monday appointed  Mysuru ZP member Mangala Somashekar as the new Mysuru District (Rural) President. The post had fallen vacant after S.D. Mahendra quit following the row over APMC Presidential election a couple of months ago.

Mangala Somashekar, who is a two-time ZP member from Hullahalli in Nanjangud taluk, is the first woman to be appointed for the post.

Mangala, who has been in the BJP for over 12 years, had earlier served as the State Executive Committee member of BJP Mahila Morcha and also as Mysuru Rural District General Secretary, it is learnt.