Exclusive analysis and interviews by Daijiworld team led by Walter Nandalike - Editor-in-chief

April 26, Mangalore  

Will Janardhana Poojary bring back the lost glory of Congress in Dakshina Kannada Parliamentary constituency?  This is the question that is being asked by politically conscious people in Dakshina Kannada constituency where veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Janardhana Poojary is facing the challenge of BJP’s new face Nalin Kumar Kateel.

While Poojary of the loan mela fame is well known in the District as well as all over the country, even BJP men outside Dakshina Kannada District do not know who Nalin Kumar is.  Naturally the fight between the two has aroused enough curiosity and interest among the rival political parties and the electorate alike.  Added to that are sensitive issues like church attacks, pub attacks, hooliganism of Ram Sene, communal disturbances etc., that have brought infamy to Mangalore, which might change the political equations in the district.  There are enough indications of the changed atmosphere and this has no doubt revitalized the sagging morale of the Congress which has been down and out for the last 18 years. 

In is the changed scenario of Mangalore in the backdrop of these events that has brought back Congress stalwart Janardhana Poojary to contest from Dakshina Kannada, after his loss to BJP in 1991 and 1996, a calculated move from the Congress party.  Poojary’s candidature has brought together the warring fractions within the Congress who are now working tirelessly to stop the lotus bloom in the district.  With sitting MP of BJP Sadananda Gowda shifting to Udupi-Chikmgalur in hunt for a safer belt following delimitation, BJP sprang a surprise by nominating an unfamiliar face in 42 year old Nalin Kumar Kateel, much to the disenchantment of the BJP’s rank and file in the district.  Nalin Kumar is the district general secretary of the BJP and a political non-entity when compared to his seasoned rival.  

STRONG BJP FORTRESS 

Up to 1989 Mangalore was a Congress bastion.  Janardhana Poojary first contested from here in 1977 and won the set for the next four consecutive times till 1989.  But the tide changed in 1991 giving the BJP a strong foothold in the district. Since 1991 Dakshina Kannada constituency (Mangalore earlier) emerged as a strong BJP fortress and for the last 18 years it has successfully held its sway over the constituency. In 1991 BJP candidate V Dhananjaya Kumar won the elections and broke the ‘invincibility’ of Janardhana Poojary, a feat which Kumar repeated in 1996.  In 1999 Dhananjay again proved successful against another seasoned Congress politician Veerappa Moily.  In 2004 elections Veerappa Moily contested unsuccessfully against D V Sadananda Gowda of BJP loosing by a margin of about 30,000 votes.  For the last 18 years the combined efforts of Congress and the opposition to checkmate the onward march of BJP have not fructified.  

The delimitation process has changed the demographic contours of the constituency which has also changed the caste equations to a great extent. Strong BJP pockets like Vittal constituency has been lost and Virajpet, Somwarpet and Madikeri have been lost to Kodagu while Surathkal has been added to the constituency.  

BILLAVA DOMINATION

There are 13,32,216 voters in Dakshina Kannada district of which about 3 lakhs are Muslims, around 2 lakh are Christians, nearly 4 lakh are Billavas and others. The remaining castes such as Devadigas, Mogaveers form the major chunk of the other community.  Naturally Billavas are a major community of the constituency and have the strength to change the fortune of a candidate.  Naturally Poojary, a prominent and well respect Billava leader is all efforts to encourage Billavas to vote for him en masse.  For Poojary the battle is half won if a major chunk of the minorities and the Billavas vote for him.  While it is expected that minorities would go with the Congress there is a tug of war between the BJP and the Congress to garner the Billava votes.  Though there were rumours of another Billava leader Vinaya Kumar Sorake joining the BJP the Poojary fraction was quick to resort to damage control exercise to keep him with the Congress and succeeded.  The hot pursuit of Billava votes has led to a war of pamphlets which are put into circulation believed to be from the rival fractions of Billavas belonging to the two parties.  

The Congress camp is in an upbeat mood following information that victory for Poojary this time around is certain.  But BJP has a strong grass root presence in the district especially in assembly constituencies like Belthangady, Sullia and Puttur.  The party also has a strong and disciplined cadre which is working systematically to retain its stranglehold.  

THE THIRD FORCE

The CPI (M) has fielded its popular leader veteran B Madhava who has the support of JD(S).  Incidentally Madhava also belongs to the Billava community and has the massive support of Beedi workers, tile workers, fishing community.  He is also the guiding force for forging a united resistance against communal violence and the hooliganism of Ram Sene.  

The presence of 79 year old Ram Bhat of Swabhimani Vedike, a rebel group that sprang from BJP is sure to take away a good number of votes of the BJP.  In 1984 Ram Bhat was BJP’s candidate in Mangalore against Janardhana Poojary.  Even if Ram Bhat succeeds in getting a few thousand votes it is bound a have an impact on the final results.  But more than the votes Ram Bhats revolt has caused enough embarrassment and damage for the BJP.  Altogether there are 11 independents contesting from here.  

CONGRESS VS BJP CANDIDATES 

JANARDHANA POOJARY

72 year old Janardhana Poojary is a Commerce graduate with a law degree is a experienced politicians who has fought several political battles.  This veteran Congress leader is known for his proximity to Congress high command.  He has held many high positions in the party and was the union minister.  Known for his clean image Poojary is a highly respected leader within the Billava community.

Speaking exclusively to Daijiworld.com Janardhana Poojary expressed confidence of Congress victory in the district.  He said his fight is mainly on issues like security for women, children, students and also peace in the region.  He was a picture of confidence of making a grand come back and bring back the lost glory of Congress in Dakshina Kannada.  

Asked to comment on the reports that he might win with a margin of about 60,000 votes Poojary said the victory margin might be even bigger than what is being projected now.

“There is a need to have an elected representative with secular credentials following the unfortunate incidents of Mangalore and the wave is certainly is in favour of the Congress.  The feedback we got during our campaigning shows there is anger against elements who spread communal hatred and disharmony”, he remarked. 

Poojary feels that the attack on churches and girls in pubs and the subsequent events that followed is a major factor that influences the voters in this constituency.  “During my campaigning I have come across people especially minorities who are terrified and scared and I am really troubled by seeing their pitiable plight.  The attacks have left a indelible wound in the minds of the people.  Mangalore needs to come out of the blemish that is being inflicted on it by the patrons of communal hatred who are bent upon dividing the people on the basis of religion”, he noted.  

When his attention was drawn to the war of pamphlets that are being circulated in the city trying to woo Billava voters by rival fractions of the Billava community he said that the Billava community is firmly behind him and that his rival party BJP was involved in circulating pamphlets and trying to create confusion among gullible voters.   

He however, refused to comment on his rival Nalin Kumar Kateel, saying that he is fighting the elections on issues concerning the district.  He feels that incidents that dented Mangalore’s image such as church attacks, attack on girls in pub and moral policing by self-styled organizations, will prove to be the undoing of his main rival party.  

Interestingly Poojary has expressed his support for Special Economic Zone though he said he is against forcible eviction of families.  

NALIN KUMAR KATEEL 

BJP candidate Nalin Kumar Kateel, 42, is a political novice barely known outside this district for his own party members.  He got the party ticket due to his proximity with RSS strongman Dr Prabhakar Bhat known for his authoritarian style of functioning.  Nalin was a RSS Pracharak for 12 years which brought him close to the BJP.  He is the District General Secretary of the party, the highest position he held so far.  He belongs to Bunt community and shot to fame during the Brahma Kalashotasva of Sri Kshetra  Kateel held in 2007 as he was the President of Brahma Kalashotsava Samiti. Known for his organizational skills it is believed that he successfully organized the Brahma Kalasha within a month’s notice.   

Nalin Kumar exuded confidence as he spoke to Daijiworld about his victory in Dakshina Kannada.  Putting an end to speculations about his education or lack of it, he said he has passed SSLC and was not able to complete his ITI.  He says the parliament needs enlightened and not educated citizens.  When asked about his reported involvement in goondagiri, as is being talked about, Nalin said there has been no complaint against him in any stations except for his recent arrest and release for alleged hate speech.  

On the Congress claim of a victory of more then 60,000 votes Nalin Kumar pointed out that parties give such statements to keep the morale of their work force high.  

But Nalin was not committal when asked on whether he would guarantee non-recurrence of incidents that tarnished the image of Mangalore following the attack on churches and girls. “I am not going to give assurances but I feel there should be peace in the district” was his staid response.   

He denied that church or pub attack and moral policing by Bajrang Dal or Ram Sene is an issue in the election.  On the contrary he says “after the pub attacks the parents are feeling happy as it might prevent their children from getting into bad habits and bad company.  Moreover those who are affected by the pub attacks are not going to vote and hence it will have no impact on our share of votes”.   

He said he is opposing SEZ and apart from the 1800 acres acquired so far he will not allow more acquisition of land for the second phase saying, a view which contradicts his own party’s stand.    

VOTER IS THE KING 

Issues like SEZ hardly matter in Dakshina Kannada at a time when other issues have taken a centre stage. With hardly few days left for voting the two rival political parties are busy making last minute efforts to woo voters. The below average voting in other parts of state is a cause of worry for the major rivals.  The BJP depends on its trusted cadres for reaching out to the voters where as Congress is trying to use its grass root presence to make its grand come back. There is a feeling among the people that the result of Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency is going to be like a referendum on the unsavory incidents of Mangalore.   

Ultimately it is the voters who will have the final say. Naturally the outcome is keenly awaited not only in Mangalore but also over the entire country.  Whether the Congress is going to make a come back or whether the lotus will continue to hold its sway here is remains to be seen.