Mangalore City Corporation Mayoral contest heats up

Mangalore, February 20: Cousins and first time corporators will vie for the post of mayor when elections to the same will be held on February 28. With the state government on Thursday finally announcing the roster of reservations to the post of mayor and deputy mayors of all city corporations in the state, political activity among the ruling BJP in Mangalore City Corporation has gone up a notch with the two aspirants pressing for their case.

The post of mayor has been reserved for SC candidate, and that of deputy mayor for woman (general) candidate. The two SC candidates in the ruling saffron camp are Praveen representing 24-Derebail (south ward) and his cousin Amitha Kala representing the adjacent 25-Derebail (west ward). While Praveen is upbeat about his prospects of succeeding Rajani Dugganna as the mayor, Amitha says she has left the choice to the party seniors.

For Amitha, the very move by the state government to reserve the post for a SC candidate is a victory of sorts. Asserting that she is not lobbying for the post, Amitha, an arts graduate from University College said she would be happy either way. "I will go with whatever the party leadership decides," she told STOI, adding what is more important is for the next mayor to focus on issues pertaining to people, especially people from SC/ST communities.

Praveen, a little more brash admitted that he has been pressing for his case with the party leadership. "I stand a very good chance of making it to the top post," he said, adding that the party corporators seemed inclined in his favour. However, a senior BJP corporator said no final decision has yet been taken on the possible candidate and the party leadership would meet closer to the date of the elections and finalise the names of candidates for the two posts.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

No rift, no rebel: Siddaramaiah–DKS stage a dramatic show of unity after high command push

News Network

November 29,2025

New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday put up a dramatic display of unity at a closely watched joint press briefing, firmly dismissing weeks of speculation about a power-sharing tussle within the Congress. With the high command nudging both leaders to sit together and settle the dust, the meeting became a political spectacle, ending with the duo declaring that there was “no confusion, no differences.”

Calling the reports of a rift “manufactured confusion,” Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone smoothly, even joking about their breakfast. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to end this confusion once and for all. For local elections and for 2028, our mission is clear — Congress must return to power. There is no difference between me and DKS, not now, not before.”

He blamed the media for fuelling rumours and reiterated absolute adherence to the party leadership. “From tomorrow, let there be no confusion. What the high command says, we will follow.”

Siddaramaiah also assured that the Assembly session starting December 8 would run smoothly and vowed that Congress would take on the BJP and JD(S) “together.”

Shivakumar echoed the chief minister word for word, stressing loyalty and discipline. “People have given us a massive mandate. It is our duty to deliver,” he said. “This government was formed under Siddaramaiah’s leadership. We both have complete trust in the high command. If they tell me to wait, I will wait.”

He added that the two leaders had discussed strategy for the 2028 Assembly elections. “Whatever the CM says, I agree. We are loyal soldiers of the party. The party may be facing challenges nationally, but we will keep it strong in Karnataka.”

Shivakumar also said Siddaramaiah would soon visit his home for lunch or dinner — another symbolic gesture meant to underline their unity.

Both leaders later posted on social media describing the breakfast meeting as “productive” and focused on “Karnataka’s priorities.”

The BJP, however, rejected the show of camaraderie as “pure bunkum,” accusing Congress of trying to paper over an internal power struggle. But Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar insisted their united front would continue — and that there was “no confusion” within the state leadership.

Comments