JOIN USWomen to rule Kodagu Zilla Panchayat this time
Despite the Supreme Court directive, which restrict reservation to 50 per cent of the total seat, the government has reserved 53 per cent of the seats to women in Kodagu ZP.
Most of the candidates will not be able to contest in the same constituency because of the reservation this year. Except A Lokesh Kumar, who was elected from Suntikoppa, all other members will have to search for new constituency. ZP President V M Vijaya Vice-President Anitha Kanjithanda, former presidents H S Ashok, H B Jayamma, Deerghakeshi Shivanna, ZP Education and Health Standing Committee Chairman Manu Muthappa, Social Justice Standing Committee Chairman S N Rajarao, Congress Member V P Shashidhar and many others will not be able to contest from their respective constituencies this time.
Parties are chalking out plans to field their spouse or relatives to maintain the seats. None of the parties are sure about the victory of their candidates at present due to the change in reservation.
It is learnt that former ZP Standing Committee Chairman S N Rajarao is planning to contest as BJP candidate from Bhagamandala, which is reserved for SC. The Koodige constituency, where he was elected, has been reserved for women (general). The Congress is likely to field K P Chandrakala as their candidate from Koodige. According to sources, former ZP Vice-President Rajamma Rudraiah and Vrijda Babu are not likely to contest. Congress member V P Shashidhar may contest from Suntikoppa or Valnur-Tyagattur.
Former Vice-President H S Ashok is also busy searching for a new constituency. Meanwhile, Manu Muthappa is likely to contest from Ponnampete constituency.
If the Congress and the JD(S) agree for a coalition, seats will be distributed according to the agreement. V M Vijaya may contest from Shanthalli, former Minister B A Jeevijaya’s son Sanjay Jeevijaya from Madapura and Somwarpet taluk JD(S) President S B Bharathkumar may contest from Gopalapura, if coalition was made.
Former Zilla Panchayat President H B Jayamma said to have taken decision to contest from Hebbale, which is reserved for SC women. Virajpet Taluk Panchayat President Saritha Punacha is an aspirant and she may contest as a Congress candidate from Gonikoppalu.
Reservation
Kadanur (Backward B), Bittangala (general), Kakotuparambu (women general), Ammathi (SC women), Siddapura (Backward A), Thithimathi (Backward A), Balele (SC women), Gonikoppalu (women general), Ponnampet (general), Shrimangala (women general), Channayyanakote (women genera), Makkandur (general), Kanthur - Murnadu (SC), Napoklu (women general), Sampaje (Backward A women), Bhagamandala (ST), Cheyyandane (women general), Kadagadalu (women general), Koodlipete (Backward A women), Gopalapura (general), Abburukatte (SC), Shanthalli (Backward A), Koodige (women general), Hebbale (SC women), Kushalnagar (ST women), Valnur- Tyagatur (general), Madapura (general), Suntikoppa (general) and Hanagallu (Backward A women).
The taluk-wise quota for ZP polls
The reservation for Madikeri, Somwarpet and Virajpet taluk Panchayats have been announced by the Election Commission. Total number of seats in Madikeri Taluk Panchayat is 11. The reservations are as follows—Makkandur (General woman), Maragodu (SC, woman), Kanthoor-Moornadu (general), Sampaje (ST, woman), Bettageri (Backward, A categry woman), Hakathur (Backward B category), Bhagamandala (general woman), Bengur (Cherambane) (Backward A category woman), Kunjila (Kakkabbe) (General woman), Konanjageri (Parane) (General).
The total number of seats in Somwarpet Taluk Panchayat is 19. The reservation is—Belur Basavanahalli (general), Hanugalli (General woman), Abborukatte (general), Gowdalli (general), Shanthalli (Backward A category, woman), Hebbale (SC, woman), Kodlipete (SC), Handli (Backward A category), Gopalapura (general woman), Athur Nallur (General woman), Chettalli (SC, woman), Suntikoppa (general), Walnoor Thyagathur (General), Shanivarasanthe (General, woman), Koodige (ST, woman), Guddehosur (Backward A category), Haradoor (Backward A category), Madapura (General, woman), Somwarpet (Backward B category).
There are 19 seats in Virajpet taluk. The reservations are as follows—Kadanur (General, woman), Botoli (General, woman), Bittangala (Backward A category, woman), Chembebellur (General), Halugunda (general), Karadigodu (General, woman), Siddapura (General), Ammathi (Backward, A category), Palibetta (SC, woman), Maldare (SC), Thitimathi (ST, woman), Balele (ST), Kirugur (General), Gonikoppa (Backward A category), Ponnampet (Backward B Category), Kanoor (General woman), Hudikeri (General, woman), Srimangala (General) and Kutta (ST, woman).