Kalkura continues his reign; re-elected president of KSP

Mangalore, April 29: In a major setback to the splinter group, Pradeep Kumar Kalkura has been re-elected as the president of Dakshina Kannada district unit of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

In a triangular fight Mr Kalkura defeated his closest rival journalist Sarvotham Anchan by a margin of 106 votes.

Although there were 1,932 registered voters in the district, only 977 candidates cast their votes in the decisive poll.

The polling was held at Mangalore taluk office, Bantwal taluk office, Puttur taluk office, Belthangady taluk office and Sullia taluk office from 8 am to 4 pm.

Sources from the Parishat said that Mr Kalkura bagged 464 votes, while Mr Anchan got 358 votes. Another candidate Harish Bantwal bagged only 149 votes. Mr Kalkura has been holding the post for almost 10 years.

While Mr Kalkura got major share of the votes in Bantwal, Puttur and Belthangady, Mr Anchan managed to get majority in Mangalore taluk.

Kalkura got only 192 votes in Mangalore taluk where Anchan was way ahead bagging 272 votes of the 472 votes polled.

Harish Bantwal got 118 votes in Sullia taluk where 138 members exercised their franchise.

Adiga in Udupi

Meanwhile, Neelavara Sugunendra Adiga has been elected as the president of Udupi district unit of the Parishat.

Mr Adiga won by a wafer thin margin of three votes against his nearest rival Tingle Vikramarjuna Hegde, in a direct contest.

While Mr Adiga got 298 votes, Hegde managed to secure 295 votes. Adiga bagged highest number of 211 votes in Udupi taluk where as Hegde got maximum number of votes (116) in Kundapur taluk.

Naik in U K

Rohidas Naik was re-elected for the third consecutive term to the post of Uttara Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

Rohidas Naik, who polled 336 votes, defeated Sharada Bhat by 97 votes. Ms. Bhat, Aravind Karkikodi, and Sayyad Jameerulla polled 239, 216, and 107 votes respectively. There was a clamour for the change of the president this time. Despite this, Mr. Naik won the election again.

The election of an elite organisation was reduced to a fight over personal issues by different candidates who accused each other in press meets. While Mr. Naik won the highest votes in Kumta, Ankola, and Joida taluks, Ms. Bhat won the highest votes in Karwar, Siddapur, Yellapur, and Haliyal taluks.

Mr. Karkikodi won the highest votes in Honnavar, Sirsi, and Mundgod taluk. Mr. Shareef won the highest number of votes in Bhatkal. The total percentage of polling was 60.22.