Politicians enter Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha polls

Dharwad: Elections for the new office bearers in Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha of Dharwad for the year 2025-2028, will be held on May 25 and the prospective candidates have started wooing the voters.Elections will be held for the post of president, vice-president, chairman, general secretary, treasurer, joint secretary and nine seats in the executive committee. Filing the nominations will begin on May 9, and the last date to submit nominations is May 13. The papers will be scrutinised on May 14 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is May 16. Elections will be held on May 25 and results will be out on May 26.The 135-year-old Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha is a premier institution in the state that has been a source of strength and inspiration for several pro-Kannada and pro-Karnataka activities. The elders who have seen a vibrant Vidyavardhaka Sangha, are feeling that the Sangha is slowly losing its relevance in the last 5-6 decades, as its activities have minimised to organising endowment lectures and cultural events.Paucity of funds is said to be the main reason for Sangha slowing down. "The Sangha is in a piquant situation as it has to move from pillar to post to get funds released by the government, and as such, is not in a position to take on the government for its ‘wrong policies' boldly," said a senior member.What had once been the domain of people related to literature, music, culture and Pro-Kannada activities, has now become a free for all with the entry of businessmen and politicians into the fray. Even the littérateurs who have made a name in the field, need to woo the electorate comprising people from all walks of life. Most of them shy away from the fray finding the pitch slippery with considerations other than merit at work during the elections.Former MLA Chandrakant Bellad had contested for the presidential post in 2021, after it fell vacant due to demise of Patil Puttappa. Majority of those elected were from the like-minded group of people who opposed Bellad's panel. This time, office bearers have decided to continue to contest as one panel while those who were with Bellad last time have formed another panel.Former MLC Mohan Limbikai (president), advocate Prakash Udakeri (general secretary), Sharapappa Kotagi (vice president), senior journalist Manoj Patil (chairman), Veeranna Yalalli (treasurer), Martandappa Katti (joint secretary), Vishwanath Chintamani, Ratna Airsang, SM Danappagoudar, Vishwanath Amarashetti Prabhu Hanchinal, Santosh Pattanashetti, Harsh Dambal, Prabhu Kundaragi and Anand Enagi (executive committee) have decided to challenge the incumbent team.