HASSAN: With only two days left for elections to the post of president and vice-president of the Hassan Zilla Panchayat, anxiety among aspirants is increasing. According to sources in Janata Dal (Secular), the party has empowered district in-charge and Minister for Public Works H.D. Revanna to take a final decision in this regard.

While the post of president is reserved for Backward Class (A) category, that of the vice-president will be chosen from the Scheduled Caste (Women) category. There is no opposition to the Janata Dal (S) in the zilla panchayat as it has secured 36 of the 40 seats in the recent panchayat elections.

The Congress, which controlled Hassan Zilla Panchayat in the previous term, by securing 21 of the 40 seats, secured only four seats this time and is not even in a position to field a candidate for the election.

However, the Janata Dal (S) is facing problem in selecting "suitable" candidates for the posts, as there are many aspirants. In view of this, the party has shouldered the responsibility of choosing the candidates to Mr. Revanna. A senior leader told The Hindu that nobody will question his decision. While Hucche Gowda of Gandsi, Appanna Shetty of Kandali, Siddesh of Shantigrama, Sidde Gowda of Hebbalu, Manje Gowda of Hirisave and Bandigowdra Rajanna of Banavara constituencies are trying to become president, Mahadevamma of Nuggehalli and Kamakshamma of Kogilamane constituencies are vying with each other for the post of vice-president.

Gandsi leader K.M. Shivalinge Gowda is promoting the candidature of Mr. Hucche Gowda, who belongs to the Kuruba community (which is loyal to the former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramiah), while some other leaders including the former Rajya Sabha member H.K. Javare Gowda, Hassan legislator H.S. Prakash, and President of the Hassan District Central Cooperative Bank Patel Shivaram, are favouring the candidature of Mr. Shetty and Mr. Siddesh. Some party leaders are in favour of Mr. Rajanna, as they want to strengthen the party in Arsikere taluk, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) enjoys a stronghold.

Mr. Shetty who belongs to t e Kuruhina Shetty community and Mr. Siddesh who belongs to the Devanga Shetty community, will have an upper hand in case the party decides to abide by the policy of internal-reservation as stressed by the former President of the Janata Dal (S) H.D. Deve Gowda. Deputy Commissioner K.H. Ashwathanarayana Gowda said here on Tuesday that elections to the post of president and vice-president will be held on Thursday and Mr. Revanna said a final decision will be taken the same day.

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