Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Aug 14: The politicians and their parties have already started their preparations for the crucial Lok Sabha elections. The electorate too is busy in speculating and expressing their opinions regarding probable candidates to be fielded by the respective parties.

In Dakshina Kannada too, the preparations, calculations, evaluations are in full swing. Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency is held by BJP for the last two decades. As per sources, retaining the MP seat is not an issue for the BJP. The confusion within the BJP is whether they should field new candidate or retain current Member of Parliament (MP) Nalin Kumar Kateel, since there is disappointment within the party workers about his achievement as MP.

In Congress, the atmosphere is completely different. After the unexpected and huge defeat in state Assembly election, especially in the coastal region, the party leaders and workers are completely demoralized. The work of strengthening the party has completely stopped due to inner conflicts between the party leaders. As per political analysts, it will be easier for the BJP in next Assembly elections. But at the same time another group of analysts says that Congress can keep its hope alive by fielding J R Lobo, former MLA of Mangaluru South constituency. According to them despite defeat in the last election, J R Lobo is the only active Congress leader in the district who is countering the allegations of BJP, criticizing them and taking up various public issues.

Unofficially he has become the opposition leader of Dakshina Kannada and people too trust him. Being a clean politician, his achievements during his term as MLA has already acknowledged by even the opposition leaders. After his defeat, many have stated that his sincerity itself was the main reason for his defeat. People feel that he is the first leader who drafted the clear sketch of development of the city.

At the same time, the Congress state leaders are also impressed by J R Lobo for his dedicated service as an MLA for 5 years. Being loyal to his party, he never identified as a member or leader of any groups within the party. There is a general opinion that neglecting Hindu community completely by Congress leaders is the main reason for party’s defeat in Dakshina Kannada. Apart from it, the Congress workers are also saying that their leaders are highly influenced by minorities. J R Lobo is exception to this. It is opined that only he can convince the majority by his bureaucratic works.

Another fact is, besides J R Lobo, there is no right candidate in the Congress. The names of senior leader Ramanath Rai, entrepreneur and party leader Raj Shekar Kotian, youth leader Mithun Rai are doing the rounds. But these leaders are opposed within the party itself. So there are possibilities that the party might field J R Lobo in the last minute.

The BJP too was aggressive against J R Lobo. After the Assembly election, the Dakshina Kannada BJP leaders’ main target has been J R Lobo. They held 90 % of their press meets to clarify on the allegations made by J R Lobo against the BJP and its leaders. The BJP too believes that there are chances of Congress fielding J R Lobo for his fair and visionary attitude, especially in the case of Smart City.

If at all the Congress gives ticket to Lobo, definitely it will affect BJP’s election strategy. In general, people are not satisfied with the style of working of current MP Nalin Kumar Kateel. Slow phase of Pumpwell and Thokkottu flyover works and unsuccessful Moodbidri-Mangaluru highway works have given him negative publicity and his own party workers are against him.

There is also general opinion that Nalin Kumar is not fit to fight for the grants and represent Mangaluru in New Delhi. In the place of Nalin, representatives like Lobo with vast knowledge of administration and fluency in local and national languages can become a voice of coast in the parliament.

As per sources, by the end of November, Congress state leaders will begin discussion on possible candidatures. If there is no lobbying within the party, Congress ticket to Lok Sabha polls is confirmed to J R Lobo.