Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 16: In the legislative council election held for the twin seat Dakshina Kannada (DK) local authority’s constituency, Congress and the BJP have won one seat each. Kota Srinivas Poojary of the BJP entered the council fourth time in a row while Manjunath Bhandary of the Congress is a first timer for the council.

It is to be noted that both the winning candidates are known for party loyalties and indulgence in good-hearted politics and these qualities have been recognised and given thumbs up by the voters. Both are well-versed in panchayat raj system. The election was necessitated because of the presence of a candidate put up by the SDPI. The Congress, in spite of having about 300 votes short, succeeded in winning on the basis of first preference votes.

Srinivas Poojary who had accidentally entered the council, has been working for the voters who elected him. He has been carrying out demand for increasing honorarium of panchayat members, delegation of more powers to panchayats etc.

Manjunath Bhandary has been running educational institution in the district through which he has been providing higher education. He holds BE, MA, M Phil and PhD degrees. He secured his PhD on the basis of a thesis on panchayat raj system.

After former legislator, Prathapachandra Shetty, refused to enter the field this time, the Congress faced a tough job of finding a suitable candidate in this constituency. The party even tried to convince SCDCC Bank president, Rajendra Kumar, who said he would enter the field as an independent. After Kumar withdrew from the field at the last minute, the party leaders faced further problem. Then Bhandary emerged as the most suitable candidate. Even though there were concerns about the victory being registered with first preference votes, Bhandary succeeded in crossing that hurdle too. The presence of SDPI did not in any way concern both the winning candidates.