Kozhikode: K.P. Gopalan Nair, the CPM candidate in the 6th ward of Keezhariyur gram panchayat, is likely to become its panchayat president if his party musters a majority. If that happens he would be a former panchayat secretary to become president as he had retired as special grade secretary of Chemenchery panchayat.
The 67-year-old had started his career here as a bill collector attached to the panchayat office in 1969.
“It would be wonderful to be the president of a panchayat where one has golden memories,” says Mr Nair. He joined there a year after its formation.
“Keezhariyur panchayat was formed carving out of the four wards of Thurayur in 1968,” recalls the octogenarian.
He went on to serve Chakkittapara, Meppayur, Nochad and Kadalundi grama panchayats and retired in 2003 as special grade panchayat secretary in Chemenchery.
“It was during my tenure, Chemenchery became the second-best panchayat in the state in distributing welfare pensions in 2001-02,” he claims. He was the state vice-president of the left-affiliated Panchayat Employees Association during 1998-2000. Currently, the LDF is ruling Keezhariyur with eight seats against UDF’s five.
