Chandrakanth Bellad and his team make clean sweep in elections to Vidyavardhak Sangha
The elections to the 135-year-old sangha, a representative body of Kannada and Kannadigas, evoked much interest this time, as candidates with affiliation to two national parties were in the fray forming two panels.
While the faction led by incumbent president sought votes based on the work it has done, the faction led by the former MLC Mohan Limbikai accused the present body of not having done much for Kannada and Kannadigas and appealed for a vote for change.
However, when the counting of votes concluded, it was evident that the electorate, which comprised writers, artistes, politicians, religious heads, professionals and people from different walks of life, has decided in favour of the existing office-bearers.
Mr. Bellad managed to win the elections for the second time by defeating his opponent Mohan Limbikai by a margin of 550 votes.
In the previous election held after the demise of veteran journalist Patil Puttappa, Mr. Bellad won comfortably with a margin of 1,650 votes.
This time, Mr. Bellad, who is a former MLA, fetched 2,328 polls, while Mr. Limbikai polled 1,816 votes. Two other contenders Hanumakshi Gogi and Chandrashekhar Rayar got 204 and 39 votes, respectively.
In the intense battle for the post of general secretary, incumbent Shankar Halgatti secured 2,488 votes against 1,929 polled by the former general secretary Prakash Udakeri.
Incumbent executive committee member Sanjiv Kulkarni contested for the vice-president's post and won comfortably by securing 2,089 votes. His opponents Sharanappa Kotagi and D.M. Hiremath polled 1,349 and 952 votes, respectively.
In the contest for working president's post senior advocate Basavaprabhu Hosakeri defeated journalist Manoj Gouda Patil by a margin of over 1,800 votes. Shankar Kumbi (2,573 votes) defeated Marthandappa Katti (1,777 votes) to become joint secretary, while Satish Turmari was elected as treasurer.
Vishweshwari Hiremath got elected to the executive committee under woman reservation and Dhanwant Hajavgol under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes reservation.
A total of 20 candidates were in the fray for the seven executive committee posts. Of them, all seven of the Bellad faction have won. They are Shailaja Amarashetti, Shivanand Bhavikatti, Jinadatta Hadagali, Guru Hiremath, Mahesh Horakeri, Veeramma Waddin and Shashidhar Todkar.
After the results were announced, Mr. Shankar Halgatthi told presspersons that the voters have reposed trust in the Bellad panel. The new body will work towards realising the objective of the sangha, he said.
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