A section of members of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Sahitya Parishat have proposed the name of Sarvottam Anchan for the post of the president of the literary body, the process of elections for which is about to begin.
The former president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat Harikrishna Puranoor told presspersons here on Friday that Mr. Anchan's name was being proposed as there was need for a change in the administration of the Parishat. “Outgoing President Pradeep Kalkura has done good work during his two successive years in the post. But there is a need for change,” he said. Mr. Punaroor said questions were being raised about a Brahmin holding the post for several years.
Tthe elections will be held on April 29. The nominations can be filed between March 14 and 28. Nomination withdrawal will be on April 4. There are about 2,000 voters in the district. Another Kannada Sahitya Parishat member Mahesh Nayak, an aspirant for the president's post, expressed his support to Mr. Anchan.
There was confusion at the press conference when Mr. Nayak raised the issue of the need for the outgoing president Mr. Kalkura to hand over the administration of the parishat to the Deputy Director of Kannada and Culture till the new President was elected. Mr. Nayak said a circular has been issued by the Commissioner, Department of Kannada and Culture, on February 27 asking the Deputy Directors to take charge of the district Sahitya Parishats till the new president was elected.
Mr. Puranoor said there was no need for handing over the charge to the Deputy Director. “This circular has been issued because of officer's misunderstanding of law,” he said. It was necessary for the outgoing President to maintain an apolitical stance during the elections. When Mr. Nayak emphasised on compliance of the directions, Mr. Punaroor said, “We are here to announce Mr. Anchan's candidature. We need not bring other issues.”
Letter sent
Deputy Director of Department of Kannada and Culture Mangala Nayak told The Hindu that she had sent a letter to the outgoing President Mr. Kalkura asking him to hand over the charge of parishat three days ago. “I am yet to receive any reply,” she said and added other district Sahitya Parishat President's have complied with the directions.
Mr. Kalkura clarified that he would hand over the charge to the Deputy Director of Kannada and Culture Department in a couple of days.
