Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jan 28: The Election Commission has announced February 9 as the date for holding the election of the presidents and vice-presidents of zilla panchayats. Election dates for taluk panchayats are likely to be announced shortly. In all the three taluk panchayats in the district, BJP has gained majority, and in all of them, candidates from general category will get the posts, due to changed reservation criteria.

In Udupi taluk panchayat, the name of Harshavardhan Hegde, elected from Shiriyara constituency, is in the forefront. As the post of the president will go to a lady from general category, the candidate will be finalized by the party, depending on who bags the coveted post of the president.

In Karkala taluk panchayat, either Jayaram Salian or Vikram Hegde may get chosen for the president’s post. While Vikram Hegde has functioned as TP president for a term, Jayaram Salian had got elected as TP member once in the past. As the post of the vice-president has been earmarked for backward category ‘A’, Ravindra Madivala or Pravin may be given nod by the party, it is felt.

In Kundapur taluk panchayat, the names of Bhaskar Billava from Koni, Shankar Shetty from Nada, and Manju Billava from Koteshwar, are being circulated. As the post of the vice-president has been reserved for a woman from scheduled tribe, it will go to Jyoti, a Congress member.

In the zilla panchayat, it is almost certain that either Upendra Nayak or Katapady Shankar Poojary will bag the post of the president.