Bengaluru: BJP leader Anantkumar Hegde represented Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha segment in Karnataka for six terms and now gynecologist Anjali Nimbalkar is putting up a spirited fight seeking to turn the tide and "deliver" it for the Congress.
Dr Nimbalkar is taking on former Karnataka Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, who replaced Hegde, in this BJP stronghold.
A former Congress MLA, she lost the Assembly elections from Khanapur in Belagavi district last year.
The 62-year-old Kageri, a six-term MLA and a former minister, was also defeated in the Assembly polls from Sirsi.
"In the past 30 years, the voice of Uttara Kannada was not spoken and not even a single question was asked in the Parliament," Nimbalkar said in an apparent dig at Hegde.
If elected, she said her focus is to address the local issues related to forest dwellers, getting them 'patra' for their own land -- a battle they have been fighting for long.
Also on her priority list is getting a multispecialty hospital in Kumta as per people's demand, generating employment and focusing on tourism for the overall development of Uttara Kannada.
"Issues related to forest dwellers -- they want a 'patra' for their own land -- we will try and put forth these issues in the first session itself and we will see to it that maximum applications which are pending with the Central government get cleared during the first session itself," she said in an interview.
"So, our thing is that at least 50 per cent of the jobs should be given to the local Kannadigas in the Central schemes which are implemented in the district," she said.
Noting that Uttara Kannada has a combination of both beaches and temples, Nimbalkar said the district can be developed internationally in a much higher scale than "what actually Goa or Kerala is".
The Congress candidate is also banking on the five guarantee schemes launched by the Siddaramaiah-led government in Karnataka and the promises made by party in its manifesto at the national level.
Responding to a question, she expressed happiness that the Congress has fielded a total of six women candidates out of 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka.
While campaigning, Nimbalkar said she was overwhelmed to see a large number of people, especially women, turning up for her rallies despite the intense heat in Uttara Kannada.
"They are very happy that the Congress has given a woman candidate and an educated candidate who herself is a doctor and a gynecologist. So they are excited that, yes, she can be our voice in the Parliament who can fight for our rights," the 47-year-old said.
"I have worked as an MLA (Khanapur), so they have seen my work in the Assembly and the expectations are like, yes, she will be the one who will be speaking for us and that faith is seen in their eyes," she said.
Nimbalkar strongly believes that when women enter any field, it brings a different perspective - be it in terms of management, policy formulation or even as homemakers.
Uttara Kannada is among the 14 constituencies going for polls in Karnataka under second phase on May 7.
Karnataka has 28 Lok Sabha seats and the first phase of polling was held on April 26.
Comments
This is the Result of Fear for Police & Sangh, So for we got good publicity for the Program, All the best for the program, Good luck for all the cadets.....
probably some political outfit of Ullal assembly constituency feared of PFI progress may have misused power to deny permission.
Rss and police affraid of PFI jai ho. Zindabad zindabad popular front zindabad.
Freedom from Hunger Fredom Fear...............
No Matter how you try UNITY MARCH will succeed by people's support and participation
DK Dist police is working for RSS only providing full security for their march. Police with not object while RSS terrorists are marching with najked sword and lathis in therir hands whereas PFI cannot take out peace march. Why Karnataka Govt is so soft on sangh parivar. Hate mongers from this organisation can give any speech whereas other cannot make any speech.
Now Saffron forces do what ever they can...............but how much you try to oppress Popular Front will emerge more powerfull
this is not Shimoga or Mysore that you can Play
When ever POPULAR FRONT wanted to go for UNITY March 60% and so called secular parties comes Hand in Hand to try to avoid.................but all fails........
''ILLEGAL'' its impossible from Organization like Popular Front of India ....as all these Years we have seen Polpular Front of India a Well Disciplined and visionary approach towards building positive youths ..................
60% in police are in full force....................UNITY March created fear in Kalladka's Heart
Disgusting, Purely Double role Police Dept.
Denied permission to PFI Unity March means they destroyed Indian Constitution Law.
WHEN INJUSTICE BECOMES LAW RESISTANCE BECOMES DUTY
PFI GO AHEAD WITH MARCH
Paradox of the budhivanthara jille: No permission for unity march. Police protection for Sangh Parivar'? division march. RIP DK district administration.
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