A postgraduate degree-holder in technology and an alumnus of the National Institute of Technology-Karnataka, Surathkal, Shivanand K., is contesting the May 29 gram panchayat elections in Dakshina Kannada.
He is contesting from Aranthodu Gram Panchayat in Sullia taluk. With this, two postgraduates are contesting the GP elections in the district. Vittal Malekudiya, a postgraduate from Mangalore University, is contesting from the Maoist-affected Kutlur constituency in Belthangady taluk. Mr. Shivanand is backed by the BJP, and Mr. Malekudiya is supported by the CPI(M). Speaking to The Hindu , he said education was necessary for better communication. As grants of the Union government are likely to be directly transferred to GPs, the presence of well-educated members would help keep a watch on the works and stop corruption.