It is a common trend in politics that a person who generally contests in the gram panchayat (GP) elections, eyes for zilla panchayat (ZP) elections to elevate himself to a higher position in the Panchayat Raj system.
But in contrast to this trend, a sitting BJP ZP member of Hirebevanur ZP of Indi taluk, Sunanda Walikar is contesting in the GP election from ward number seven of Tadavalaga GP in Indi taluk.
The ward has been reserved for Schedule Tribe (women), Ms. Sunanda who belongs to ST category, is contesting in the election. Two reasons that have prompted her to contest in the GP election are — the possibility of becoming GP president if she wins the polls and second to take “revenge” against her estranged husband’s second wife.
Yellawwa Walikar, the second wife of Basavaraj Walikar, is also in the fray. The political fight within the relatives does not end here as two aunts of Ms. Sunanda — Putalibai Walikar and Bebi Walikar — too have jumped into the fray, making the contest even tougher. Asked why she is contesting despite being a ZP member, Ms. Sunanda claims that since she hails from Tadavalaga village, which does not fall under the Hirebevanur ZP, she wishes to serve the people of her native village.
