K. Koragappa Naik will step down as president of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat on Saturday after his 20-month term. Elected to the council from Ujire constituency — reserved for a Scheduled Tribe candidate — the 48-year-old B.A. graduate made it to the council after working as a daily wager to earn livelihood.
Officials were moved when Mr. Naik in his farewell address on Wednesday partially threw light on his personal life and said that he did not have an own house and still lived with his maternal aunt at Mundaje. He said that he did not have a cell phone of his own and the one he was using was sponsored by workers of the BJP. Mr. Naik — a bachelor — said started working as a daily wage worker on farms since he was he in class 2. Some officials commended him as an able president who did his homework well, went deep into a subject and led the meetings and guided well.
He asked officials to work honestly for the people. Mr. Naik speaks to The Hindu on his personal and political life.
What did you do as president for your constituency?
I constructed eight new roads and 10 bridges. About 200 families near Perla did not have proper road connectivity. A 2.5-km-long road laid from Ujire to Perla has helped the families. I brought Rs. 1.5-crore grant for the construction of a building at Morarji Desai Residential School at Mundaje.
Is 20-month term enough for a president?
No. To work effectively, a president should get five-year term. If not, one should get at least and two-and-half-year term. In my case, six months were lost in model code of conduct for the Assembly and the Lok Sabha elections last year and this year.
How was your school life?
As a small boy I was a victim of lightning. When I was picking up mangoes lighting struck the mango tree and I suffered the shock due to which I limp even now. I had to walk about 4 km from my house at Adkadakere to Alandakka for primary education and 9 km to Bangady for high school education. I worked on farm lands early morning and late in the evening to earn some money for my education.
What about college life?
While studying pre-university at Belthangady and college education at Sacred Heart College in Madanthyar, I stayed in a room at Belthangady and distributed newspapers from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. to pay fees. I also worked as a part-time worker in government taluk office and other offices in Belthangady from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
What did you do after graduation?
I did masonry for living. I was plucking coconuts. I was leading a decent life with no loan. After I became the president I availed a loan of Rs. 1.50 lakh from a self-help group in which I am a member to manage the expenses. After my term as the member ends after 20 months, I will return as a mason for a living to repay the loan. I have no other option unless I continue in politics.
How did you get attracted towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh?
The upper-caste people, including a strong political man, in my village never allowed us to come up. It was then that the RSS opened its shakhas where they preached and practised equality. I got attracted to it and joined the ABVP in college and later joined as a party worker.
Is it your first entry to politics?
I contested to the post of member of Mundaje Gram Panchayat before election to this Zilla Panchayat. My rival and I polled 200 votes each. After the draw of lots, the other candidate was declared winner. I am a director of Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
