ZP vice-president's 'show of strength' on March 31

After a gap of 18 years, Zilla Panchayat Vice-President Shivanand B Karigar will hold his 'show of strength', by lifting heavy stones and by performing other traditional stunts of Pailwans, at the Government Model Kannada School ground at Byahatti village in the taluk on March 31, at 4:00 pm.

Those who perform all those stunts and defeat Mr Karigar in wrestling will get Rs 25,000 cash prize and a silver mace.

"I am performing this to promote Desi sports, which need better encouragement from the government. I conducted a similar programme at Byahatti in 1999, and in Mysuru in 2000, and bagged the 'Mysuru Kesari' title. Even after entering politics, I have maintained physical fitness through physical exercise, running, and swimming," 41-year-old Shivanand Karigar said.

Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, he noted that he was preparing for the 'show of strength' since last one-and-a-half years, and was practising for four hours daily since last six months.

Lifting, throwing, and carrying stones up to 140 kg weight, carrying two bags of 2.37 quintal of weight in total, and other stunts would be performed, for more than two hours. District In-charge Minister Vinay Kulkarni, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar, MP Pralhad Joshi, legislators C S Shivalli, Ashok Pattan, Vartur Prakash, Basavaraj Horatti and Basavaraj Bommai would be the guests at the programme, he said.

Regarding politics, he said: "I had no role in Yogishgouda Goudar's wife Mallamma joining the Congress Party. As per the wish of my supporters, I want to contest in Assembly elections from Navalgund constituency, on the Congress ticket. But, I have not yet decided about contesting as an independent candidate, if the Congress ticket is not given," Mr Karigar added.