Express News Service
BELAGAVI: It is democracy with a difference in the tiny village of Bellada Bagewadi in Hukkeri taluk of Belagavi district. While elections to Gram Panchayats are in full swing in Karnataka, this village, which produces sugarcane in abundance, has known its fate for seven decades. The Katti family, which is from this village, holds the reins here. Panchayat elections are not contested, instead, the candidates are elected unopposed, and villagers abide by the family’s decisions on any developments. Umesh and Ramesh Katti take all the major decisions, with the consent of the GP members and villagers.