Anna Vinayachandra
Anna Vinayachandra is an Ex-MLC[1] from Panchayati Raj constituency of Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka. He is a social activist, political activist and thinker. He was associated with Bharatiya Janata Party but came out of party politics and now works independently.
Anna Vinayachandra | |
---|---|
Member of Karnataka Legislative Council | |
In office 6 January 1998 – 5 January 2004 | |
Constituency | Dakshina Kannada Local authorities |
Personal details | |
Born | Badagannur, Puttur, Dakshina Kannada | 9 January 1948
Political party | Independent |
Spouse | Padma Rao |
Children | 3 |
Occupation | Agriculturist |
Source: |
Political career and reforms
Before becoming MLC, Anna Vinayachandra was Karnataka State organizing secretary and State General Secretary for Karnataka BJP twice. Being a huge fan of strengthening panchayti System by decentralization and internal democracy within political party, he started to bring reforms within BJP. He also questioned the communal agenda of BJP which raised eyebrows of conservative BJP leaders, leading to the denial of BJP ticket to contest council polls the next time and was later marginalized from active party involvement.[2][3]
In 2007-08 Karnataka State election, he floated an organization called Swabhimana Vedike (meaning, platform for self-respect) in Puttur and fielded Shakunthala T Shetty questioning the state BJP's decision to field Mallika Prasad, in spite of local BJP workers vouching for Shakunthala Shetty. Later in 2009, he supported former MLA from Puttur, Rama Bhat when he contested for parliament election against Nalin Kumar Kateel.[4] It is told that these "battles" were to uphold the values of self-respect among grass root workers and not to win the election.
As corruption charges were its peak within State BJP, he floated a state level organization called BJP Elders' Forum (Bha Ja Paa Hiriyara Vedike) with senior leaders like BB Shivappa and Urimajalu Rama Bhat to attempt reform BJP. He toured the state consolidating strengths among party workers to voice against corruption within the party.[5][6] Particularly, he led BJP workers at national level in demanding expulsion of his former colleague, B. S. Yeddyurappa from the party and was successful.[7]
Non-political activities
Anna Vinayachandra engaged himself in various social struggles. He was involved in fights to strengthen laborers capacity [8] and initiated apolitical fight against social hierarchy by strengthening democracy to get youth towards political fold.[9]
Lately, his main focus is water, health care and education in rural Karnataka. He believes that self-sufficient primary health centres are key to develop both preventive and curative health. So, he worked with the organization called WHEEL.[10] He is currently serving as president of Saraswathi Education trust, an organization which owns industrial training institute for students of low socioeconomic status. He is forefront activist urging central government to take up a massive micro irrigation scheme in Belagavi, Haveri and Hubballi-Dharwad region by supplying Mahadayi river water.[11]
Personal life
Vinayachandra has been an aquarist for more than three decades. Initially started as hobby, he soon turned into ornamental fish exporting business[12][13]
References
- "New president of CAMPCO wants to diversify market". The Hindu. 31 August 2015.
- "Many multicornered contests in Council poll". The Hindu. 15 November 2003.
- "Vishwamitra was a Great Saint Until Menaka Danced Before Him: Or The Story of the BJP". Janamejayan's Weblog. 16 May 2013.
- "Ram Bhat files Nomination - Sends Shivers Down BJP's Spine". DAIJIWORLD. 4 April 2009.
- "BJP Elders' Forum to release list of tainted MLAs, Ministers". EXPRESS INDIA. 3 November 2012.
- "BJP elders to take on Corrupt Candidates". DNA India. 12 March 2012.
- "BJP Senior Leaders demand Yeddyurappa's expulsion". DNA India. 21 March 2012.
- "Akhila Bharata Karmika Sangha is conducting a day-long 'abhyasa varga' for its cadre from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada at B C Road near here on December 11 from 9 am to 5 pm as per a decision taken at its central committee meeting here. The aim of the meeting is to facilitate the spread of the organization. Anna Vinayachandra, senior labour leader will guide the deliberations". The Times of India. 21 November 2011.
- "Eminent persons plan apolitical struggle to strengthen democracy". The Hindu. 16 December 2012.
- "MODULE TO PROP UP PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ON CARDS". Bangalore Mirror. 16 February 2015.
- "Mahadayi Tribunal Order Likely by July End: Gadkari". Deccan Herald.
- "Something FISHY". The Hindu. 13 September 2004.
- "Training on Intensive Agriculture". News Universities. 30 July 2007.