Will KSP cast away old by-laws?

BANGALORE: With elections to the post of president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat fast approaching, the moot question on everyone’s lips is: will the Parishat’s by-laws be amended?The elections will be held on April 29; ten candiates are in the fray for the post of president. Opinions in literary circles are that the by-laws are outmoded. Contentious issues that need amendment include extension of the KSP chief’s term from three to five years, reservation for women, election for taluk KSP chiefs and setting up election booths at hobli level. As per existing by-laws, the term of parishat’s president post is three years and those contesting the KSP elections once cannot contest again.   Presidents at the taluk level are only nominated. KSP members and litterateurs, however, want them to be elected.Prof Chandrashekar Patil, (Champa), told Express, “I attempted amending the by-law when I was KSP president from 2004. But certain vested interests opposed it. They feared that I had suggested the amendment to ensure my re-election.”Champa said that he will make efforts to amend the by-law by convening a Special General Body Meeting if elected again.   Former president of KSP Nallur Prasad told Express, “By-laws were framed decades ago keeping in view prevailing conditions. The amendments are needed from time to time.”Even 97 years after its inception, no woman has been elected as the Partishat’s president. “Every third KSP election can be a ‘women-only’ show. If women are not willing to spend money on elections, they can also be nominated. Also amendments can be made where women can be included in executive committee as vice-presidents,” said Narayanamma, the only woman to contest the KSP elections. She further said that she  is against the amendment of extending the term of president’s post from three to five years.