Ex-security guard to become Udupi ZP chief

 A man, who has worked as a security guard at the district stadium for the last 10 years, will become the Udupi zilla panchayat president.

He has served as a car driver of the civic body’s project director as well.

Dinakar, a resident of Kannarpady on the outskirts of Udupi, has been serving as a BJP worker for the last 20 years. The post of the zilla panchayat president has been reserved for SC category this time. Since he is the only SC candidate from the party in the newly-elected zilla panchayat, he will be its new president. He had contested from Udyavara constituency and won the election with a margin of 615 votes.

Dinakar contested the election for the first time and reservation has become a blessing in disguise for the him.

Out of 26 Zilla Panchayat seats, the BJP has won 20 seats.

Dinakar, who hails from a poor family, has studied up to PUC. Due to various reasons, he discontinued his studies and started working.

He served as a security guard at the stadium on contract basis for a monthly payment of Rs 3,500.

He was receiving a salary of Rs 6,000 when he resigned.

He resigned from the job the day before he filed his nomination paper for the zilla panchayat election.

He had availed the contract to outsource the vehicle to zilla panchayat project director. As he was owning a car, he was working as car driver as well during day time “I am happy that I will be able to serve as the zilla panchayat. As a driver for zilla panchayat project director, I had visited various places with him and seen people complaining on misuse of funds under various schemes. I want to utilise the funds released by the government under welfare schemes effectively. My first priority after getting elected as the zilla panchayat president is mitigating drinking water woes.”

“I joined BJP after SSLC. I have served the party for 20 years. The party allowed me to contest the election. My party leaders campaigned and worked for my victory,” he said.

Competition for VP post
The post of the zilla panchayat’s vice president is reserved for woman (General). The BJP has 10 women members and there is a stiff competition for the post.

Geethanjali Suvarna, who has won from Kurkalu and Sheela K Shetty from Brahmavar are the senior leaders. Geethanjali has won the zilla panchayat election twice. She has been in the BJP for the last nine years.

Sheela Shetty is serving the BJP for the last 30 years. Similarly, G Shobha from Trasi, Lakshmi Manju from Koteshwara, Srilatha Suresh from Beejadi, Supreetha Kulal from Haladi, Shilpa G Suvarna from Ellur, Jyothi Harish from Hebri, Reshma from Belman, Divyasri G Amin from Miyaru are also eligible for the post of vice president.

Geethanjali Suvarna said, “I have worked for the BJP for the last nine years. If given an opportunity, I will discharge my duties in honestly. I am committed to the decision of the party leaders.”

Sheela K Shetty said “I have worked for the BJP for the last 30 years. If given an opportunity, I will discharge my duty effectively.”