Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Mar 12: As soon the general elections were announced, the selection of candidates from the national parties has gained momentum. Ticket aspirants are anxious and speeded up their efforts to get selected as candidates from their respective parties.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel's name is almost confirmed to represent Dakshina Kannada constituency for the third time from BJP. From Congress, it is believed that the race is between Ramanath Rai and B K Hariprasad to contest from the Congress in Dakshina Kannada constituency.
Nalin Kumar Kateel, Ramanath Rai, B K Hariprasad and Mithun Rai
Ramanath Rai and B K Hariprasad names were on top during the screening committee meeting held at Delhi on March 11. As per sources Congress high command may announce Congress candidate by March 15. Other than Ramanath Rai and B K Hariprasad, names of former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, SCDCC Bank president M N Rajendra Kumar, youth congress leader Mithun Rai were also proposed during the meeting.
B K Hariprasad has handled various positions in Congress, He has a strong say in the party high command. He is very close to the top leaders of the party too. As per political analysts, his name figures in the list of aspirants for Lok Sabha election from Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha seat. But in his interview with Daijiworld last month, he did not clarify whether he is particular about being fielded from Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha seat. Clearly he says he is an aspirant for Lok Sabha ticket and he has given six other options, including Dakshina Kannada, which he has already conveyed to the party leadership.
As Billawa community has a significant presence in the district, there is a demand from a section to give ticket to B K Hariprasad who belong to Billawa community. So there is a possibility of B K Hariprasad representing from the Dakshina Kannada constituency.
If the high command considers rapport with people in Dakshina Kannada, then there are chances for Ramanath Rai to be a Congress candidate as he has been always in touch with the people being a resident in the constituency.
Ramanath Rai has been in the forefront for the ticket from the constituency. He also went to Delhi and had a dialogue with the party high command. When it comes to criticizing BJP and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Ramanath Rai is very vocal including in holding Padayatra. He has developed good rapport and contact with the people across the district and as per analysts Ramanath Rai can be a tough competitor for BJP.
It is said that Ramanath Rai has not been making any controversial remarks since last Assembly elections and has a strong possibility of getting ticket to contest.
In the recent development, SCDCC Bank president Rajendra Kumar is also a ticket aspirant, He was seen at the Congress Parivartana Yathra at Adyar Garden recently.
Vinay Kumar Sorake does not have much hold in the district as expected and some local organisations have raised voices against him.
Youth Congress leader Mithun Rai is one of the top contenders for the ticket.
MLC Ivan D Souza is also in the race as he himself has claimed that he is one of the ticket aspirants.
Opposition for Nalin Kumar Kateel
District BJP president Sanjeev Matandoor has clarified the party will field its current MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, for third time in a row from this constituency. But there is lot of opposition for Nalin Kumar Kateel from the party as well as from the public. Recently Sathyajith Suratkal fans also demanded ticket for him by hoisting banners across the district demanding for the ticket, But state BJP president Yeddyurappa intervened and asked to remove all the banners. On the other hand the incompletion of highway works and flyovers may turn negative for Nalin Kumar Kateel. Congress leaders are using this as trump card and attacking BJP.
While JD(S) has already submitted four candidature list that is BM Farooq, MLC Bhoje Gowda, vice president M B Sadashiv and spokesperson Sushil Noronha. But JD(S) party does not have strong presence in the local constituency.