Background
In the 1957 elections there was a direct fight in Surathkal constituency. Out of 52,903 voters in the constituency 27,418 exercised their franchise. Indian National Congress candidate B R Karkera defeated his Praja Socialist Party candidate Sanjeevanath Aikala. Surprisingly, in 1962, PSP candidate Sanjeevanath Aikala emerged victorious. Out of 32,293 votes, Aikal won 13,148 votes. Congress candidate M Dhoomappa bagged 9,981 votes. Independent candidate Marian Pais bagged 3230 votes and JS candidate bagged Sundara B bagged 529 votes. In 1967 Praja Socialist Party won again with its candidate P V Aithal. K N Alva of Congress tasted defeat this time.
Highlights
In 2004 and 2008 BJP's Krishna J Palemar won here and went on to become cabinet minister. He also served as the District in-charge Minister of Dakshina Kannada. Mr Palemar has to his credit the fame of having bagged the highest number of votes with 70,057 votes.
In 2008 he won with a margin of 12,426 votes. His opponent, B A Moideen Bava of Congress bagged 57,631 votes. JD(S) candidate S V Amin bagged 2,542 votes and independent candidate Anand Gatti bagged 1642 votes.
This constituency had seen two freedom fighters contest the polls in the past and emerge victorious. If Sanjeevanath Aikal won in 1962, another freedom fighter M Lokaiah Shetty emerged victorious in 1983.
Winners so far
1957-B R Karkera (Congress)
1962-Sanjeevanath Aikal (Praja Socialist Party)
1967-P V Aithal (Praja socialist Party)
1972/1978- B Subbaiah Shetty (Congress)
1983-M Lokaiah Shetty (Janata Paksha)
1985- N M Adyanthaya (Congress)
1989-K Vijaykumar Shetty (Congress)
1994-Kumble Sundar Rao (BJP)
1999-K Vijaykumar Shetty (Congress)
2004/2008 J Krishna Palemar (BJP)
Voters
The number of voters has increased by 1563 from the last elections. The total number of voters is 1,98,366 this time as against the 1,82,753 voters of 2008. There are 96,994 men (88,832 in 2008) and 1,01,372 women (93,921 in 2008).
International repute
The constituency is considered to have international importance as most of the factors contributing to economic growth of the region is connected to this constituency.
Industrial giants like MRPL-ONGC is located here. Industrial estate, BASF, MCF and various other industries are here. Premier educational institute, NITK is situated in this constituency. This constituency also has the Mangalore Special Economic Zone along with the New Mangalore Port Trust.
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