<p>However, here is a BEd student who not only contested the Gram Panchayat elections in Talapady, but also became the Gram Panchayat Vice-President.<br /><br />She is Ashalatha, a BEd student of M V Shetty College of Education who aims at improving the basic facilities in Talapady Gram Panchayat. At the age of 23, she has become one of the youngest GP Vice-Presidents in the district.<br /><br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, she said: “I contested the elections for the first time. I was supported by Congress. They did not have candidates to field from Poomannu ward, hence I was asked to contest the elections and I readily agreed. I never thought that I would contest elections or become Vice-President.”<br /><br />She had polled 220 votes in the election. Though she contested the election with the support of Congress members, she was elected as the Vice-President with the support of BJP members. The Gram Panchayat has 20 members, 9 BJP backed members, 5 Congress supported members and 6 independents.<br /><br /> In fact, during the elections to the post of President and Vice-President, the Indepndent members supported the BJP supported candidates. The post of Vice-President was reserved for SC (Woman) and there was no candidate among the BJP supported candidates. In the meantime, among the Congress supported candidates, there were two members from SC (Woman) category. Congress supported the candidature of Saraswathi instead of Ashalatha. Hence, BJP supported members supported Ashalatha and helped her win the Vice-President’s post. <br /><br />Recalling the day the results were announced, she said: “I was on a study tour in Bijapur on the day of counting. It was my parents who informed me of my victory in the elections.” <br /><br />“In fact, the President Jayaraj is my classmate in high school at Anandashrama High School, Someshwar. It was a surprise for me when I saw him during the GP members meeting at Town Hall. Working with my classmate as a President is really a good experience to me.” <br /><br />“As my classes will conclude only in November, I will try to balance my studies as well as Gram Panchayat work. I attend the meetings by taking leave. As a Gram Panchayat Vice-President, I will first try to create an awareness on the facilities available from the government through Gram Panchayat for the people.” <br /><br />“My top priority is to repair the roads in several wards which are in deplorable condition along with providing streetlights. Moreover, owing to the lack of stormwater drains, rainwater flows on the road, creating hardship for the public, which needs immediate attention,” she added. <br /><br />She is a resident of K C Road is Talapady. She has pursued MSW from St Aloysius College in Mangalore.</p>
<p>However, here is a BEd student who not only contested the Gram Panchayat elections in Talapady, but also became the Gram Panchayat Vice-President.<br /><br />She is Ashalatha, a BEd student of M V Shetty College of Education who aims at improving the basic facilities in Talapady Gram Panchayat. At the age of 23, she has become one of the youngest GP Vice-Presidents in the district.<br /><br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, she said: “I contested the elections for the first time. I was supported by Congress. They did not have candidates to field from Poomannu ward, hence I was asked to contest the elections and I readily agreed. I never thought that I would contest elections or become Vice-President.”<br /><br />She had polled 220 votes in the election. Though she contested the election with the support of Congress members, she was elected as the Vice-President with the support of BJP members. The Gram Panchayat has 20 members, 9 BJP backed members, 5 Congress supported members and 6 independents.<br /><br /> In fact, during the elections to the post of President and Vice-President, the Indepndent members supported the BJP supported candidates. The post of Vice-President was reserved for SC (Woman) and there was no candidate among the BJP supported candidates. In the meantime, among the Congress supported candidates, there were two members from SC (Woman) category. Congress supported the candidature of Saraswathi instead of Ashalatha. Hence, BJP supported members supported Ashalatha and helped her win the Vice-President’s post. <br /><br />Recalling the day the results were announced, she said: “I was on a study tour in Bijapur on the day of counting. It was my parents who informed me of my victory in the elections.” <br /><br />“In fact, the President Jayaraj is my classmate in high school at Anandashrama High School, Someshwar. It was a surprise for me when I saw him during the GP members meeting at Town Hall. Working with my classmate as a President is really a good experience to me.” <br /><br />“As my classes will conclude only in November, I will try to balance my studies as well as Gram Panchayat work. I attend the meetings by taking leave. As a Gram Panchayat Vice-President, I will first try to create an awareness on the facilities available from the government through Gram Panchayat for the people.” <br /><br />“My top priority is to repair the roads in several wards which are in deplorable condition along with providing streetlights. Moreover, owing to the lack of stormwater drains, rainwater flows on the road, creating hardship for the public, which needs immediate attention,” she added. <br /><br />She is a resident of K C Road is Talapady. She has pursued MSW from St Aloysius College in Mangalore.</p>