The political landscape in Chikkamagaluru has heated up with the high-stakes election to the board of directors of the influential District Cooperative Central (DCC) Bank moving into full gear. A total of 27 candidates have submitted their nominations for the 13 available positions, setting the stage for a competitive contest that has drawn in former ministers, sitting MLAs, and MLCs.
Alliance Politics Take Center Stage
The election battle gained significant prestige and political weight following the decision of the Janata Dal (Secular) to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party for the cooperative bank polls. As per the seat-sharing arrangement, JD(S) candidates will contest from 2 constituencies, while BJP candidates will fight for the rest, as stated by senior leader Ravi. This alliance is widely expected to secure an absolute majority, with most directors likely to hail from these two parties.
Prominent figures who have filed their nomination papers as part of this alliance include JD(S) MLC S L Bhojegowda and BJP's CT Ravi. Incumbent Kadur MLA KS Anand has also thrown his hat into the ring. Other notable entrants are former Kadur MLA and Apex Bank chairman Belli Prakash, and former Tarikere MLA DS Suresh.
Detailed Breakdown of Nominations
The elections are not just for the main DCC Bank but also for various Taluk Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) across the district. Here is a constituency-wise snapshot of the nominations filed:
For Chikkamagaluru Taluk PACS (2 positions): Legislative council members CT Ravi and SL Bhojegowda, BJP leader MS Niranjan, TE Manjunath, and HB Satish submitted nominations.
For Kadur Taluk PACS (2 positions): Belli Prakash, SV Basavarajappa, and HK Darshan filed their papers.
For Tarikere Taluk PACS (2 positions): Former MLA D S Suresh and former ZP vice-president KR Anandappa are in the fray.
For Mudigere Taluk PACS (1 position): Coffee Growers Association (KGF) president HB Shivanna filed a nomination.
For Koppa Taluk PACS (1 position): A three-cornered contest is shaping up with US Prajwal (son of former MLA UK Shamanna), KS Ravindra, and BJP's BS Satish in the race. Prajwal and Ravindra are associated with the Congress party.
For Sringeri Taluk PACS (1 position): HK Dinesh Hegde and BG Prasanna are the candidates.
For Narasimharajapura Taluk PACS (1 position): KC Jayapal submitted a nomination for the single post.
Representatives for District-Level Societies
Elections will also be held for key district-level cooperative bodies:
For the single post representing all Milk Producers Cooperative Societies in the district, candidates are TK Jagadish and SD Sonal.
For the position representing all Agricultural Produce Cooperative Societies, HK Dinesh Hosuru and Kadur MLA KS Anand have filed nominations.
The election for the post representing all Primary Agricultural and Rural Development Banks, Urban Cooperative Banks, and other societies in the district has attracted a crowded field. The candidates are former MLA MP Kumaraswamy, TL Ramesh, P Manjunath Joshi, ER Mahesh, SB Anandappa, and M Mahesh.
Election Schedule and Farmers' Welfare Focus
Explaining the rationale behind the JD(S)-BJP alliance, MLC S L Bhojegowda emphasized that the DCC Bank fundamentally belongs to the farmers and the farming community. He stated it was imperative for the parties to join forces to ensure the welfare of both the institution and the agriculturists it serves.
The electoral process is on a tight schedule. Monday is the last day for candidates to withdraw their nominations. If required, voting will be conducted on January 17 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The counting of votes will follow immediately, and the entire election process is slated to conclude as per the predetermined schedule, according to the assistant commissioner who is also the presiding officer for the elections.
