Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 16: Unless last minute understandings are reached, Gladys D’ Almeida, a BJP zilla panchayat member (ZP), who became ZP president 20 months ago with support from Congress members, will fight this ZP election on behalf of JDS.

Gladys, who had contested the assembly election in 2004 election because of her differences with former state minister Vasant Salian, from Kaup constituency, had caused Salian’s debacle. BJP’s Lalaji Mendon came out victorious in that election. Thereafter, she joined the BJP and became a zilla panchayat member as a member of that party. However, when the BJP chose Veena Vasu Shetty over her during the ZP president election in 2009, she rebelled against the BJP leaders, and became ZP president with the support of Congress members.

The BJP, which had suspended her from the party for this rebellion, and had requested the election commission to cancel her ZP membership through the district deputy commissioner, had not pursued this case in all earnestness. Gladys of late, was seen in BJP forums, and had attended a recent function in which L K Advani was present. Gladys was hoping to get BJP ticket from Shirva constituency.

The BJP has put paid to her hopes by fielding Inna gram panchayat president, Reshma Udaya Shetty from Shirva constituency. As she has already been shunted out of the Congress party, and has lost hopes of getting a ticket from the BJP, there is every possibility of Gladys joining the JDS in an effort to become a ZP member again.