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1. You are a two-time MLA. Now, you are going to contest for third time from Mangalore constituency. How do you assess your performance?
Yes, I have completed two terms. The first term was of three months and the second of five years. I am contesting for the third time and as I look back I can say I am happy and satisfied by my work. As an opposition MLA I have tried my level best to work for the interest of the people.
2. Age-old problems of your constituency such as sea erosion, bad roads, and drinking water issues have not yet been solved. What is your take on this? What developmental have you offered to the constituency so far?
Underground Drainage was a major problem here and I am happy to say that I could manage to get a grant of Rs 66 crore for the UGD project for Ullal area.
Sea erosion had been a major issue, which since several years has been throwing life out of gear. However, with the help of Central Government, for the first time in India, a unique project has been taken up, Ullal in a quest of finding permanent solution for the problem.
A foreign based company has been vested the responsibility of executing this Rs 100 crore project. First phase of Rs 25 crore has been started at Kotepura in this regard.
Further, Ullal is primarily a fisheries zone. A Mini fishing port has been a demand of the people of this region for long and accordingly, I have managed to get a Mini Fisheries Port granted at Kotepura. This will prove out to be a huge blessing for people of this region in the long run.
I believe that village roads are as important as the roads in the city and my view was that even the villages should be given the same sort of roads that are being laid in the cities. In this regard, several villages have been given concrete roads.
Ullal region has huge potential to emerge as a tourism hotspot and in this regard a rope bridge connecting from Adyar to Pavoor has been sanctioned. This project will give a boost to tourism as the Island in this area is a feast for eyes.
Lastly, communal harmony and promoting brotherhood in my region has been my priority. I have brought together community members and leaders from various religion to join hands so that the region experiences peace and harmony.
3. What vision do you have for the progress of this constituency? What will be your priority if your people once again decided to make you MLA?
Goa, our neighbouring state's economy runs on tourism. Kerala, another neighbor of Karnataka too has tapped its tourism potential, eking about 50 per cent revenue from it. However, we have not gone ahead to make the best out of what has been given to us. We need to tap our tourism potential and our Tourism Department has to have vision to utilize the advantages we have. However, any developmental projects will fail if there is no awareness among people and people's participation.
4. Congress has fielded minority candidates in all three constituencies of Mangalore. Don't you think Congress would lose many votes from majority Hindu community due to this decision?
The Congress is not based on any one community. Indian National flag is our religion. It is for each and everyone. The Congress intends to become the voice of the voiceless and give strength to the weak. It is not about winning or losing, it is about political representation for the marginalised. The Congress is not confined to power, it is rather a movement of the people.
5. There are 15 candidates in the fray in Mangalore constituency including 11 Muslim candidates. Don't you think this would help your main opponent of BJP?
No. We are not here to defeat anybody; we are here only to win. Even if we field 25 more of such candidates we will win because we are confident of our work. We do not look at the opponents, instead we look at our work while we go to the people.
6. Congress has alleged that the BJP itself had played major role in fielding many candidates, especially Muslims against you to divide secular and Muslim votes?
Yes, It is the BJP which is sponsoring such candidates. When they do not have the confidence on themselves, they resort to such tactics. But, voters are here to decide what is correct and what is not.
7. Though many people identify you as a secular leader, a few Muslim dominant organizations allege that you have done nothing for your community in particular?
They should come to me and talk to me. Over the last four and half years, they remained silent or rather appreciated my work saying that I have been the voice of the minority. Now, when the elections are here they are making such statements. They are doing all this to divert the attention. I think they are anti-minority.
8. Do you foresee a bigger challenge from BJP and other candidates in the May 5 Assembly poll compared to last two elections? How do you manage to conciliate with people of diverse background during the campaign?
Simple. The work strategy is discussed with the booth level works. No party can survive without them. We are blessed with dedicated booth-level works, which is our strength.
9. A large number of voters from your constituency are working in Gulf countries, who may miss the opportunity to cast their vote. They cannot travel back home paying thousands of rupees just for election. Is there any permanent solution for this problem?
Well, it is a national policy. As of now, let the ones in India cast their vote. It is the Election Commission and the Government who have to decide on the online voting. I am nobody to talk on this. However, I feel they should be given a chance to vote.
10. Your message for voters as an MLA candidate?
Take right decision and defeat the BJP. The BJP government has not done anything for people. After huge declarations and promises of bringing in programmes for youth, nothing has been materialized. The plight of the landless, the ones struggling for title deeds, ration cards, teachers and almost the plight of people from all walks of life has gone from bad to worse. The BJP has failed utterly. It has succeeded only in looting the State. People of the state should not give them a chance to be in power.
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