Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Nov 15: Coastal districts, which are known for religion-based politics, saw a new chapter being written in the recently concluded Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) elections. BJP, which is known as a party propagating Hindutva and the face of Sangh Parivar was supported wholeheartedly, cutting across religious lines, in a ward of the city.

As soon as the BJP candidate was declared victorious in Tiruvail ward number 20, along with the flag of BJP, the green flag symbolizing Muslim and white flag symbolizing Christians of the ward started to flutter. In addition, all the three flags were being waved throughout the night in Tiruvail area.

Hemalatha Raghu Salian, who is the sitting corporator of this ward, had done development irrespective of caste and religion. In addition, Congress had offered ticket to Pratibha Rajkumar Shetty, who had defected from BJP. So there was difference of opinion among the Congress party workers itself in the ward. All the Congress block leaders of Tiruvail had openly pledged their support to the BJP candidate. So the BJP candidate Hemalatha Salian secured a huge victory in the election.

It is really surprising that the Muslims, who generally keep safe distance from the BJP in the coastal district, have joined hands with the saffron party in this ward. Voices are also being heard on the social media that considering their huge numbers, Muslims could have gone for alternative party instead of supporting BJP.