What are the plans of Lobo, Kamath, Prabhu for Mangaluru South? Read before you vote!

Harsha Raj Gatty | coastaldigest.com
May 4, 2018

At the heart of the District Headquarter of Dakshina Kannada, the election fever heats-up as Congress’ leader and first time MLA J R Lobo will test his mettle from Mangaluru City-South Assembly constituency in the May 12 Karnataka polls. The former Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer, who on his debut in 2013 sent back-packing then four-times MLA of the constituency N Yogish Bhat, will now try to stand tall against the BJP candidate.

Meanwhile, the BJP in the region has turned into a divided home - while on one side the party has officially set up Vedavyas Kamath, the party President of Mangaluru City-South, on the other hand Srikar Prabhu, the former state executive member of the BJP, who is still not sure why he was thrown out of the saffron party, has announced his own candidacy as an independent.

Lodging a victory at the Mangaluru City-South becomes a matter of prestige for these candidates, as they house maximum number of key government, private offices, educational, IT, religious institution, trade, commerce and brings a sense of city life into the district, acting as an eye-candy for both tourist and investors.

In the midst of their busy campaign, the candidates make time to speak to coastaldigest.com for an interview. The excerpts below:

CD: Do you think the battle in Mangaluru City-South is only between BJP and Congress or do other parties or independent contenders stand a chance?

Lobo: The fight is only between the BJP and the Congress. CPI(M) is insignificant. I am confident that I will get re-elected again.

Kamath: It will be a dual fight between BJP and Congress. BJP is sure to win.

Prabhu: The poll battle in the constituency has started off as a triangular with Congress, BJP and me in the main front. But very soon, it will be just be between Congress and me and there is no doubt that I will emerge as No. 1.

CD: Are there any unsolved issues in the constituency? How would you address the same?

Lobo: Unemployment is the biggest issue in the constituency. To find jobs, the youth migrate from the city. Now, Mangaluru has become more of a pensioners city and many parents want to have their children near them. It’s a socio-economical issue, the best way to deal with this is create job opportunities, which will retain the youth power in the city. There is a lot of potential in tourism and industrial sector, which can be tapped.

My main agenda will be to focus on investment flow in the city and create employment opportunities. Law and order maintenance is a must and I am happy in my last tenure no such untoward incident took place. I shall push for the same in the future too.

Kamath: The city faces acute shortage of water especially in summers. Traffic is a mess and parking has become a major woe. Interference of the state government in law and order is another issue we see. If I get elected, will try to solve each of the city’s issues in a systematic approach.

Prabhu: The incumbent Congress MLA had promised to improve the condition of Mangaluru’s Central market. Has he succeeded? The market is in a pathetic condition. Also, Mangalureans suffer due to water shortage in summer. Traffic has become a nuisance. If elected as MLA, I will solve these issues.

CD: Is there any dissidence in your party? Do you think it will benefit/hamper your poll prospectus?

Lobo: There is no dissidence within the Congress.

Kamath: BJP is a disciplined party and will always support the party and its candidate. People want to support the party and do not want to waste it, voting for the negative side. 

If you think Srikar Prabhu contesting elections will affect my prospectus, you can wait and watch.

Prabhu: Whoever says that I am contesting elections to divide BJP votes is far from truth. A person becomes a rebel when he leaves the party when he does not get ticket for election and joins another party or fights on his own. However, I was suspended from the BJP in 2014 without any reason or explanation. I have been out from the party for almost four years. How can I be called a rebel? I am fighting as an individual, a constitutional right every Indian citizen has. BJP has pitched in a candidate who is mired in controversy and has been accused of having a criminal background.

I have BJP workers sympathy, as they know I was suspended without even a show-cause notice and without a reason. I have been active in social service. If voters in the constituency vote for me recognizing my service or if BJP workers elect me as I have a clean background, you cannot say I am dividing votes. Anyone is free to contest and a voter is free to choose.

CD: Do you think there is Modi wave in the constituency? Will it benefit/hamper your prospectus?

Lobo: No. People in this constituency are educated and know what is happening. They do not form opinions suddenly but over a period of time. People have suffered during demonetization. Though the intention to eradicate black money was good, the way demonetization was announced and executed was very poor.

Kamath: While we are campaigning, we have realised that people are impressed with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and are complaining about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led State government and municipal administration. So hundred percent BJP will win.

Prabhu: Modi wave may be there to some extent. It is an example that people vote for image of the person. Similarly, in Mangaluru people who know me will vote for my image.

5) What are your plans to transform Mangaluru City South?

Lobo: Providing 24X7 drinking water supply under ADB Phase II, improvement of underground drainage, construction of modern markets, ultra-modern bus stand near State Bank, modern bus stand in Pumpwell, development of tourism, improving fisheries and Old Port, promotion of sports and youth welfare, setting up a government engineering college and medical college and evening engineering college are some of main works among many we are intending to take up

Kamath: We shall looking into solving the water issue that affects Mangaluru, bring down crime rate, solve parking issue, complete the Ambedkar Bhavan work, bring in more job opportunities and also highlight the achievements of Kudmul Ranga Rao.

Prabhu: Name the Bavutagudda Road as Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty Road on top priority. Provide drinking water for Mangaluru, construction of full-fledged underground drainage system, improve traffic system, improve central market and the fish market, systematic solid waste management, construction of new bus stand in the city are some of the many work I intend to take up.

Specific Questions

CD to Srikar Prabhu:

There are rumours that you contested the election as an independent to blackmail BJP to take you back to the party?

Prabhu: Why would I do that? I was banned for BJP for six years and four have been completed. If I wanted to go back to the party, I would have waited for the ban to get over. I announced my decision to fight as an independent much before Congress and BJP announced their candidates.

My main intention is to serve the people. Also, I was asked to leave the BJP party without any reason. I have worked for the party for over two decades and many were sad that I was removed. Hence, people asked me fight as an independent, so that I have an opportunity to solve their problems.

If you win as an independent are there chances that you may merge with the BJP?

Prabhu: I have worked for BJP for many years and just because I am not in the party, cannot wipe out my ideologies. I openly say that I am still inclined to BJP ideologies. I still support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also have pledged to support him in the MP election.

However, as I am contesting as an independent, people are my high command and I will need to consult with the people before taking decisions.

CD to J R Lobo:

In the recent days, your name has been dragged in the KUDCEMP and AMRUT scheme misappropriations. Do you think this will affect your poll prospectus?

Lobo: All the allegations are baseless and far from truth. I have already clarified my stand in front of the media and will stand by it. The opposition is famous for propagating false news and expert in telling lies. I have already filed a complaint. I have obtained injunction order against those people from the court and I am also initiating criminal action against those people.

CD to Vedavyas Kamath:

Do you think, your name being associate in the Vinayak Baliga murder case may affect your poll prospectus?

Kamath: I will call you back in five minutes. (We are still eagerly waiting for Kamath’s call)

Also Read: Mangaluru North: 7 common questions - different answers from Bava, Shetty, Muneer

Comments

First-time Voter
 - 
Saturday, 12 May 2018

A sitting MLA who has not done any prominent work during his tenure, a "pro-hindutva" party candidate accused of murder and an ex member of the same party who has miniscule stuff like changing names of roads in his agenda. NOTA.

Hisham
 - 
Saturday, 5 May 2018

mr prabhu answer itself tells that he is not even capable to stand for election and he is not focused on development,

check his one answer which he tell that he will rename a road . Whether u rename or keep the name same ,it wont effect the people of mangalore .

I request all mangaloreans to vote for development and who can keep peace and provide basic necessities to people of the city.

 

 

MR Bengaluru
 - 
Friday, 4 May 2018

This Vedavyasa Kamath is the same person who booked Pakistan flight ticket to internationally acclaimed Indian thinker Late Prof. U R Ananthmurthy. Hope the voters of Manglauru South will send Kamath to that country. 

Fuad 
 - 
Friday, 4 May 2018

BJP voters neither read any interviews, nor manifestos. There are 3 kinds of people among BJP voters:
1) Those who think only Hindus are good and others are bad, and that BJP is the only pro-Hindu party.
2) Those who blindly believe that BJP is non-corrupt and others are corrupt.
3) Those who think that BJP may be bad but others should not come to power.

Whistleblower
 - 
Friday, 4 May 2018

I have reliable information that one candidate of Mangalore South has paid Rs 1 crore to another candidate to defeat BJP candidate. (I am not revealing names of those two candidates to avoid legal problems. Hope readers will understand)

Peeku
 - 
Friday, 4 May 2018

Srikar Prabhu’s hair style is nice. But his answers are pathetic.

PK Kudla
 - 
Friday, 4 May 2018

Lobo has made so many promises. But after becoming MLA he will do only two things: 1) Concretize roads 2) dig them again. 

Helpless NRI
 - 
Friday, 4 May 2018

Dear Harish Raj Gatty/ coastaldigest.
Kamath may not call you back to answer your last question. But, Income Tax department officers may soon personally meet you. Think hundred times before posing controversial questions to BJP leaders. 

Pulimunchi
 - 
Friday, 4 May 2018

Dear Prabhu, now a days TOP priority means Tomato Onion Potato priority…so u need not to change the name of a road for these vegetables. 

Prathima Bhat
 - 
Friday, 4 May 2018

Looks like a paid news by Congress. Apparently tried to malign BJP candidate. Besides Srikar Prabhu was given prominence unnecessarily apparently to split Hindu votes. But don’t worry. No voter will consider this propagandist interview seriously. People have brains to think. Jai Sri Ram!  

Giridhar Kamath
 - 
Friday, 4 May 2018

Lobo’s plans are good. But the million dollar question is why didn’t he do all those things when he was MLA for five long years? Not to mention he had direct links with the-then Cong supremo Sonia Gandhi too thanks to his Catholic background. We must give an opportunity for young and energetic candidate Vedavas Kamath.

First time voter
 - 
Friday, 4 May 2018

Enchina maarree.. Road da pudar change malpere MLA avoda? Shocked to know Srikar Prabhu’s priority.

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News Network
May 7,2024

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The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) on Monday responded to Karnataka’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) regarding a blue corner notice issued against JDS MP Prajwal Revanna.

In its response, Interpol said that all 196 member countries were alerted to identify and report if Prajwal Revanna is spotted at any port in their jurisdiction.

The Karnataka government issued a Blue Corner Notice on Sunday against Prajwal Revanna, who is facing allegations of sexual abuse by his staff members.

A Blue Corner Notice is issued by the international police cooperation body to collect additional information from its member countries about a person’s identity, location or activities about a crime.

The notice was issued after the 33-year-old Hassan MP reportedly flew to Germany soon after the Karnataka State Commission for Women chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhary wrote to the CM to order a probe into the sexual allegations against Prajwal.

Last week, the anticipatory bail application of Prajwal Revanna was also denied by Justice Santosh Gajanana Bhat’s bench of People’s Representative Court in Bengaluru.

Earlier, his MLA father and son of former Prime Minster HD Deve Gowda, HD Revanna was remanded to Karnataka SIT custody in a kidnapping-related sex scandal case.

His arrest came after the kidnapped victim was rescued from Revanna’s close assistant Rajasekhar’s farmhouse in Kalenahalli, Hunsur Taluk after the SIT conducted the rescue operation to find her, the police said.

The abduction case was filed by the son of a woman who worked at the Revannas’ house for nearly five years. He alleged that his mother was kidnapped from her home on April 29 by Satish Babanna a relative of Revanna.

The Karnataka Sex Scandal case pertains to explicit video clips allegedly involving the 33-year-old Prajwal, grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, which went viral on social media.

Those videos began to make rounds in Hassan in recent days, following which the state government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the sexual abuse allegations against the MP.

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News Network
May 6,2024

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Several women, believed to be victims of Prajwal Revanna, have left their homes in Karnataka's Hassan district over the last ten days, according to media reports.

These departures reportedly come amid fear and stigma after their identities became public due to the circulating video clips showing the women who were allegedly sexually assaulted by Prajwal Revanna.

"The entire district is in H D Revanna’s control. You speak ill about them and chances are high that it will reach them, because the family and the party have a large following," a shopkeeper in Hagare - 20 km from Hassan – was quoted as saying by the news paper. 

Hassan is the bastion of the JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda, and Prajwal, his grandson, is the sitting MP.

The family of the woman whose complaint was the basis of the first FIR against Prajwal has now left their home, the publication reported, citing a neighbour who said, "The woman worked at Revanna’s house as a house help. Some of her videos started to circulate and then, her house was seen locked. We don’t know when she left."

Notably, a former Zilla Panchayat member has also filed a rape case against Prajwal, and in that village many women who worked for the party formerly are now incommunicado, a JD(S) leader told the publication. "We noticed many of the party women deleting their photos with Prajwal on social media. In some instances, men are questioning their wives about their association with the MP. It is shattering the lives of many women in the district," he said.

The local leader added that the former Zilla Panchayat member was there on April 24, but no one had seen the family since the videos came out.

The case is currently being probed by an SIT team and when they reached the Revanna residence, party workers were reportedly heard talking about the women. "I know this woman, she lived close to our residence and was very active in JD(S) activities. Her house is locked… she has small children," one said, as per IE.

Another shopkeeper added, "It was really wrong to reveal the faces of the women. I know some of them, and they have gone into hiding. We don’t know whether they can return."

He noted that it is impossible to survive in Hassan while fighting a case against the Revanna family.

While Prajwal's father, H D Revanna is in SIT custody, a Blue Corner notice has been issued against the sitting MP.

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News Network
May 7,2024

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Bengaluru: JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has claimed that 25,000 pen drives with videos of women being sexually abused allegedly by his nephew, Lok Sabha election candidate Prajwal Revanna, were distributed before polls, and accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar of a conspiracy.

The former chief minister also sought to discredit the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Congress government on April 28 to probe the charges against Prajwal of sexually abusing several women after videos allegedly involving him started making the rounds on social media.

"It is not a Special Investigation Team but 'Siddaramaiah Investigation Team' and 'Shivakumar Investigation Team'," the JD(S) second-in-command, who is the son of party supremo and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, said.

MLA H D Revanna and his son and Hassan MP Prajwal have been booked for allegedly molesting their cook. In another case, Revanna has been booked and arrested for allegedly kidnapping a woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Prajwal. A case of rape has also been registered against Prajwal.

Addressing a press conference here, Kumaraswamy said the pen drives were circulated by police officers who were "threatened to do it".

“It (pen drive carrying videos) was released in Bengaluru Rural constituency (where the Congress candidate in the Lok Sabha elections is D K Suresh, who is the brother of Shivakumar). This was an April 21 development. On April 22, Poornachandra, our polling agent, gave a complaint to the District Deputy Commissioner, who is the Returning Officer,” the JD(S) leader said.

“Poornachandra received a message at 8 pm on April 21 asking people to 'follow a WhatsApp channel to see Prajwal Revanna’s sleaze video'. There was a message on this WhatsApp channel, 'Countdown for the release of Prajwal’s sleaze videos'," Kumaraswamy further said.

According to Kumaraswamy, one Naveen Gowda had sent the message about the "countdown".

In his complaint to the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of Hassan district, Poornachandra has named five people including Naveen Gowda, Karthik Gowda (Revanna’s driver), Chethan and Puttaraju alias Putty, he said.

It has been more than a fortnight since the complaint made on April 21 but no action has been taken against these five people, Kumaraswamy said and demanded that they should first be arrested for "mortgaging the modesty" of women in the videos.

Kumaraswamy alleged that 25,000 pen drives were distributed in the entire state, and cited a report in a regional daily to support his claim.

“My question here is why no action was taken. If someone posts something on social media, immediately houses are searched and the person is made to sit in the police station. Why no action was taken against these five people despite a complaint?” he asked.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had confidently said that all the three JD(S) candidates in the Lok Sabha elections will be defeated," Kumaraswamy said, adding, "It raises doubts about the involvement of many people."

On April 25, Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhary wrote to Siddaramaiah demanding an SIT probe into the tapes where Prajwal is allegedly seen sexually abusing several women. The same night, the CM gave his nod and ordered the formation of a SIT, Kumaraswamy said.

“In that letter, Nagalakshmi Chowdhary did not mention the name of Prajwal or Revanna but the chief minister called it ‘Prajwal Revanna’s explicit videos’ in his post on X when he announced the formation of SIT. This shows how the conspiracy was hatched,” the JD(S) leader claimed.

He also alleged that the first complaint "framing" his brother H D Revanna and nephew Prajwal was typed on a computer in Bengaluru and was sent to Holenarasipura, which is represented in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly by Revanna, on April 28.

“It’s not a Special Investigation Team but there are two teams within it – one is ‘Siddaramaiah Investigation Team’ and another one is ‘Shivakumar Investigation Team’,” he charged.

He said the ‘convenor’ of the 'pen drive story', Karthik Gowda should be traced first and brought before the people.

“Going through the conspiracies, one can doubt the intention behind the investigation because more than protecting the women victims, you are limiting the scope of the probe only to defame people,” Kumaraswamy further alleged.

He underlined that he was not trying to protect anyone. “I have said that in this case I will not protect anyone doing wrong. Stringent punishment should be given to the person involved in this crime as per the law of land."

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