Recently, Shakuntala Shetty had been inducted into the party in the presence of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dr G Parameshwar and former MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake. Sources say that she joined the party only on an assurance from Congress leaders of a ticket in the Assembly elections. Upon hearing the news of her induction into the Congress, BJP workers and spokespersons had unanimously declared that her entry would herald a definite win in the elections. However, her name was absent in the list of candidates that was sent from Bangalore to New Delhi.
Instead, Nabhiraja Jain, a staunch supporter of Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and former Zilla Panchayat president Bharath Mundodi have been named as leading candidates for the constituency of Puttur. The third name in the list is Sudhakar Shetty.
Sources say that local Congress leaders had urged in the panel meeting held in Bangalore to not field Shakuntala Shetty as a candidate in the forthcoming polls. This is seen as a major setback to former MP Sorake and District Congress Committee president B Ramanath Rai. An opportunity to have regained the Congress presence in Puttur is being lost, said spokespersons.
In another surprising development, former Mangalore Mayor Purandaradas Kuloor has been named as a proposed candidate in the candidate list from Sullia Assembly constituency, which is reserved for a candidate from the Scheduled Caste. The defeat of Dr Raghu from the constituency in the previous elections may have proven lucky for the former Mayor.
Incumbent MLAs have been named as candidates for the constituencies of Bantwal, Mangalore (Ullal) and Moodbidri in the forthcoming polls, while in the constituency of Belthangady, Harish Kumar, a supporter of former Union Minister B Janardhan Poojary has been named along with the incumbent MLA Vasanth Bangera.
Only two names have been proposed for the Assembly seat from Mangalore South constituency, including former MCC Commissioner J R Lobo. Kripa Alva's name has been suggested as candidate from Mangalore North (Suratkal) constituency. Kripa Alva had been aspiring for a ticket even from Puttur constituency, but finally submitted her request for a ticket from Suratkal constituency. From the Muslim community, the names of Badruddin, B A Moideen and Masood are being considered for a ticket.
It is said that the party has adopted winning strategies for gaining seven Assembly seats out of eight, leaving aside the constituency of Mangalore City South, in the district of Dakshina Kannada.
Related: Shakuntala Shetty embraces Congress
Comments
Add new comment