KLE society directors elected unopposed after Prabhakar Kore withdraws

All the 11 directors of the Karnataka Lingayat Education Society (KLE) were elected unopposed in Belagavi on Thursday, after Prabhakar Kore, former MP and society chairman, withdrew his nomination.

The list of 11 directors shows that Mahantesh Koujalagi, MLA and Congress leader, continues as society president, while Tatavati Basavaraja Shivalingappa was elected as vice-president. Mr. Koujalagi has served as the president earlier too. Mr. Mahantesh Koujalagi’s father Shivanand Koujalagi and grandfather H.S. Koujalagi also were KLE directors. Mahantesh Kavatagimath’s father Mallikarjun Kavatagimath was also a director.

S.S. Jalalapure, society election returning officer, issued a press note late on Thursday night, saying the proposed voting scheduled in Hubballi for February 7 and in Belagavi on February 8 has been cancelled. A meeting of the board of directors on February 9 will elect the chairman of the society, who exercises real executive powers. Mr. Prabhakar Kore has served as the chairman for several terms earlier.

This is the first time in for 40 years that Mr. Kore is not on the board of directors of the society. His children — daughter Preeti Dodwad and son Amit Kore are on the board. Ms. Dodwad served as the co-ordinator of KLES’ English Medium Schools till now, while Amit Kore was busy managing a few sugar factories.

Mr. Prabhakar Kore entered the board after the death of his father Basavaprabhu Kore in 1986.

He was an active Congress leader till 2008, when he joined the BJP. He served as a MLC once and Rajya Sabha member thrice. The 78-year-old leader has stayed away active politics after the BJP did not renominate him in 2020. He has served as the chancellor of KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), deemed-to-be university, since its founding in 2016.

Seven teachers from Belagavi and surrounding areas set up the KLE society in 1916 by starting a Kannada medium school. Now it has 316 institutions with 18,000 staff and over 1.45 lakh students, according to its website.

The reasons behind Mr. Kore’s decision are not clear. Those close to the leader say he wanted to make way for youngsters. “Except for a few directors like Mahantesh Kavatagimah and Mr. Koujalagi, most other directors are under 50. Despite our insistence, Mr. Kore refused to stay in the race,’’ said a newly elected director.

Some speculate that Preeti Dodwad, Mr. Kavatagimath and Mr. Koujalagi are the front runners for the post of chairperson. If Ms. Dodwad is chosen, she will be the first woman to head the society. One director hinted at Mr. Prabhakar Kore being chosen as the chairman emeritus, and assuming non -executive responsibilities like providing general guidance and directions.

“For four decades, Mr. Prabhakar Kore built KLE in such a way that the society became synonymous with him. It is not easy to replace him. I congratulate him on his gesture of giving up power voluntarily. But we hope he continues his association with the biggest education institution in northern Karnataka,’’ said Ashok Chandargi, Kannada activist, whose relatives continue to be members of the society.

Under Mr. Prabhakar Kore’s guidance, the number of schools and colleges in KLE society increased from 30 to over 300. He has also been engaged in cultural activities. He successfully organised the Vishwa Kannada Sammelana in 2003. He mobilised funds for the construction of Kannada Bhavana in Belagavi and has patronised theatre and music performances. We wish that he continues to guide and support artists, D.S. Chougale, theatre personality, said.