BANGALORE: Pundalika Halambi was elected president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) on Wednesday. Halambi was previously a treasurer of the KSP.
Halambi’s swearing-in ceremony will be held at 11 am on Thursday.
He defeated Prof Chandrashekar Patil, popularly known as Champa in literary circles, by more than 7,000 votes. In the counting of votes held on Wednesday, Halambi polled 22,486 votes and Prof Patil secured 15,353 votes. Of the total 1,08,028 members, 64,311 had exercised their franchise. Nearly 560 votes were declared invalid.
KSP returning officer K Nagaraju and S T Mohan Raju, after taking the postal votes into account, declared Halambi as the new KSP president.
“I am doing service to Kannada for the last 14 years. I think the members have recognised my service and voted for me. I will fulfil their expectations and try to take the KSP to newer heights,” Halambi said.
Halambi secured more votes in Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Urban, Davangere, Shimoga, Hassan and Belgaum, while Prof Champa got more support in Bidar, Bellary and Gulbarga districts. On Sunday, Halambi was said to be leading with over 6,000 votes. However, no official announcement was made then.
The newly-elected president will be chairing the centenary celebration of the KSP which was established on May 5, 1915. Speaking to press persons, Halambi said, “The KSP is one of the premier organisations of the state. I also thank all my friends who travelled across the state and canvassed for me.”
He said for the next three years priority would be given to Kannada. “I will take the advice of all seniors, including Champa and Nallur Prasad. I wish the government responds to all our demands in a positive way,” Halambi added. Halambi’s supporters distributed sweets and burst crackers.
Speaking to Express, Halambi’s wife Saroja said, “He loves Kannada more than his mother. He was always a part of the KSP and has worked hard for the development of the language. As president, he is sure to do a good job.”