Udupi: Dr V S Acharya Strong Contender for Home Minister Post ?

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (CN)

Udupi, Jun 3: On Friday, May 30, B S Yeddyurappa took oath as the next chief minister of Karnataka. A total of 29 ministers were also sworn in at the same time, but portfolios are yet to be allotted.

The Vidana Soudha has been given a fresh coat of paint and is all set to welcome the new ministers. Daijiworld has learnt that at least 12 ministers, including mining barons Janardhana Reddy, Sriramulu, Karunakara Reddy, besides Shobha Karandlaje, Dr V S Acharya, and K S Ishwarappa, have already been allotted offices in the Vidana Soudha.

Other than the chief minister, none of the others have as yet begun working from their new premises. However, minister Krishna Palemar has already taken to his new responsibilities by conducting public meetings and listening to people's grievances in his home district Mangalore.

The CM is expected to make the portfolio announcements after the confidence vote on Friday, June 6. Of most interest to all—public and politicians—is the coveted berth of Home Minister.

One hot favorite for the position is Udupi’s very own Dr V S Acharya, considered by many to be the senior most and most qualified leader within the BJP in the state. Other contenders include Janaradhana Reddy, and Ishwarappa.

Owing to the key role played by the mining lords of Bellary in financing the BJP in the elections, many feel that they will be given meaty portfolios. Reliable sources from the state capital have informed Daijiworld that Janardhana Reddy has demanded  the post of deputy CM though Yeddyurappa has not made mention of such an option.

Hence, the logical assumption is that the second choice would be the Home Ministry. Meanwhile, Ishwarappa, a former president of the party’s state unit as well as former minister of water resource management, feels that the portfolio should come to him.

However, Dr Acharya’s eligibility for the post remains undisputed owing to his stellar achievements over the years. In 1983, he was elected for the first time from Udupi constituency on a BJP ticket and represented the party in the legislative assembly. 

Let us have look at the profile of Dr Vedavyas Srinivas Acharya:

Personal Info

1939: Born in Udupi

Parents: Vidwan Tarka Shiromani Katte Srinivasa Acharya and Smt Krishnaveni Amma

Wife: Smt Shantha V Acharya, BSc, housewife, social worker, activist, former municipal councillor

Children:

Dr Raviraj V Acharya: MBBS, MD (Medicine), DNB, professor and head of unit VII, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal University (Married to Dr Shashirashmi Acharya, MDS, professor and head, operative dentistry, CODS, Manipal University)

Dr Kiran K V Acharya: MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), associate professor, arthroscopy and sports medicine unit, orthopaedics, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal University (Married to Vidushi Prathima Kiran, director, Kalanidhi, Udupi)
Ganesha Prasad: BE, software engineer, USA

Rajesh Prasad: BE, software engineer, USA

Bharathi M Hebbar: USA

Political Journey

1959: Medical education at KMC Manipal; best alumnus award (twice)

1968: Youngest municipal president of Udupi ( at age 28 ); ‘Swarna’ water supply system; municipality got an administrative building; roads were widened and tarmac laid end-to-end; town planning authority for planned development; underground drainage system was sanctioned and started; first in the country to abolish manual carrying of night soil; elected twice for the local body; municipal president for eight years.

1975–1977: During the Emergency he was imprisoned under MISA for 19 months

1974–1977: District president of Bharatiya Jana Sangh

1977–1980: District president of Janata party

1980–1983: District president of BJP

1983: Elected to Karnataka legislative assembly from Udupi constituency; leader of the BJP legislature party in Karnataka district reorganization committee

1984: State vice-president, BJP; member of the national executive committee of the party  for about 20 years.

Second stage of ‘Swarna’ project; creation of directorate for municipal administration appellate authority for land reforms; judgments by tribunals; abolition of land fragmentation act; tax concession for diesel used by fishermen; simplification of taxes and land conversion; special grant of Rs 10 lac towards ‘paryayam’, Udupi; commencement of five high schools and three primary schools; worked for bringing about construction of four major bridges

1985: Setback for Dr Acharya as he lost the election from Udupi constituency against Manorama Madwaraj of Congress.

1996: Elected to the legislative council of Karnataka

2002: Re-elected to the legislative council of Karnataka; formation of Udupi district budgetary finance and planning, electricity and municipal administration; party spokesperson on these matters;  chairman of legislature committee on health and family welfare

2006: Minister for medical education and animal husbandry; setting up of six new government medical colleges in a single academic year; hassle-free CET, more seats, affordable fees, faculty recruitment drive with salary revision; revamping the structure of animal husbandry department during brief tenure.

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