Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, Feb 23: President of the zilla panchayat here, B S Chaitrashree, had remained adamant on not resigning from her post in honour of a commitment she had made when an internal understanding over sharing of power was reached within the party. The president, who stuck to her decision not to tender resignation in spite of several parleys, and demanded to be allowed to continue in power for the remaining ten month term, has now been suspended from primary membership of BJP for a period of six years.

In his order, state secretary of BJP, N Ravikumar, said that Chaitrashree has been suspended from the primary membership of the party for a period of six years for failing to obey the party's order relating to the position of zilla panchayat president.

The seat was earmarked for a woman candidate from a scheduled caste. B S Chaitrashree and Sujata, who met this eligibility criterion, were aspirants for the post. When the party leaders took a decision to share the presidential term, both had demanded to be made president for the first term. The party thereafter decided to give the first 20 months of power to the person who gets first term, and the remaining 40 months to the other. Chaitrashree accordingly became the president.

As per the understanding, Chaitrashree was expected to resign from her post on January 8 this year, but she came up with the demand for equal tenure of 30 months each to the two candidates and refused to tender resignation even after leaders asked her to do so. It is learnt that she demanded to extend her term by ten months or alternatively, issue her party ticket to contest from Moodigere constituency.

Chaitrashree angrily reacted to the party's decision to suspend her. She is particularly disgruntled about certain leaders of her party. "I have been suspended because some leaders are afraid that a woman belonging to a nomad group is growing in stature and if given an opportunity she can pose threat to their existence. I have not indulged in any anti-party activities, neither have I issued any statements or done something that has insulted the party. As per Panchayat Raj Act, a person chosen as president can remain there for a period of five years. I had just sought equal tenure for two aspirants. Was I wrong in seeking justice? I will complain to national president of the party, Amit Shah?" she fumed.