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
Rasheed Bhai......... No individual is above the Nation. Personal attitudes will not damage the whole NATION and its CONSTITUTION. But a Political Party as a whole can make a difference to the NATION. Being a citizen of INDIA, just evaluate the Nation under BJP rule and CONGRESS rule you will get your ANSWER. Thank God.... your family is safe and secure, but think about those families who were the victims of BJP workers. The intolerance in last 4 years has gone from bad to worse. For God's sake, please keep your difference away especially for this State election and for upcoming General Election in Year 2019. All the best to all the Kannadigas and lets give another chance to CONGRESS to keep the injurious political party BJP much far away.
i think muslims should vote for Ashraf . attitudes of U.T is dangerous than bjp , he is selfish , his last five years attitudes shows he may sell entire community for his personel gains... such candidates should be defeated ....
improve ullal means..... he had not done anytihng to his own place then how we can trust him that he will develop karnataka/India........ i am not anti congress dear. but those who did not work for the welfare of the society should not win this election.... anyone maybe...... staying as loyal, honest, visiting funeral is not that he is good MLA or Minister.......
Abbu , what is your thinking brother, to improve ullal, you will vote against congress, really sad with your thinking , thing about India and people of Bharat , if you divide vote against the situation will be same , vote congress to get good results
use common sense please dont vote any muslims indipendent candidate, vote only congress
Some selfish and jealous people are trying to misguide the community. Instead of supporting and guiding the community to the unity, they try to divide just because of their selfish motives. Community should be very vigilant and aware of what is happening. While all secular forces trying hard to stop this Communal party, this kind of selfish people are trying to divide. They harm the community indirectly. Its better not to give an opportunity to our enemy rather than harming our own community. So be aware of this kind of selfish people. Its very easy for all political parties to be communal but secular parties are struggling. Instead of supporting secular parties, these selfish people trying to divide the votes. Very bad. Need to reject him outright.
Under the current state of affairs, we need to think about the whole KARNATAKA STATE and our great nation "INDIA". This JD(S) candidate is BJP's agent and they are not bother about our STATE & NATION. Even though if he win election this time, I can challenge he will never improve ULLAL. He will just fill his pocket and share few penny to BJP. Let all the Kannadigas be SMART and vote for CONGRESS - because the current situation in INDIA had forced all the MUSLIMS to vote only CONGRESS. We all should think that its CONGRESS V/S BJP only. No other parties should exists at this moment of time. Lets build a very strong and smart INDIA.
better vote all muslims for ashraf ... then how there will be vote divide..... UT khadar has not done anything to improve his place ullal
Good news for BJP
If you vote for Ashraf it is like voting for BJP. Do you want Modi and Amit Shah to win?
Be smart and don't vote for Ashraf
Add new comment