BJP banking on Congress rebellion in Uttara Kannada

 

Mr Ghotnekar’s victory is matter of prestige for Congress, and the party is leaving no stone unturned to unite its voters. “Congress has enough votes to get its candidate win the election. However it is also true that the party is facing challenge from the revolt of Ravindra Naik. Minister R V Deshpande is concentrating on the victory of Mr Ghotnekar, his close associate. With complete support from the party and government, Mr Ghotnekar is likely to win,” a party leader told Deccan Chronicle. 

 

The leader said “This election will not be a cakewalk for Congress. Mr Ghotnekar might have party and government support, but people are unhappy with him as they feel he is not of much help to people or workers. In the last six years, there is no worth mentioning as contribution or achievements of Mr Ghotnekar. Mr Ravindra Naik who has been fighting for the people is contesting as rebel after he was denied party ticket. He belongs to Namdhari Community, one of the strong communities in the region. However it is a challenge for Naik to turn these factors into votes,” he added. 

 

Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded former president of Karwar Municipality, Ganapathy D Ulvekar. He is a known leader in Karwar but not a familiar face in rest of the district.  BJP leaders, however, agree that Congress has more votes than BJP in the constituency. “The Congress is a divided house. Within the party, there are many who are unhappy with Mr Ghotnekar. In addition to this, Mr Ravindra Naik is contesting as rebel candidate. We expect a division in Congress votes which might help us,” said an office bearer of Bharatiya Janata Party.

 

 

 

In the memorandum, Mr. Megharaj said though the poll  code was in force in the district, Mr. Rathnakar had taken part in the annual day programmes of St. Mary's School at Tirthahalli, which was receiving grant-in-aid from the government. In his address, Mr. Ratnakar spoke about the education policy and reforms to be introduced in education sector. His (Mr. Rathnakar’s) participation in the programme was a clear violation of the poll code, he alleged.

 

The Election Commission had announced the schedule of Legislative Council elections on November 24. However, Mr. Rathnakar, in his letters to gram panchayat members on November 20 had said polling would be held on December 27. By revealing the date before the official announcement, Mr. Rathnakar had defiled the lection process, he added.

The BJP leader alleged that A.B. Sudhir, guest lecturer, participated in the campaign along with Mr. Rathnakar to support the Congress candidate. Participation of guest lecturer in campaign was also a violation of law.

 

 

 

All these days, these leaders were silent and did not drum up support for the Congress candidate.   Though many Congress leaders were unhappy with the candidature of Mr Anil Kumar, especially those in Chikkaballapur district, they were forced to work for Congress candidate. However, sources said they would not work really to fetch votes in favour of Congress. Congress candidate Anil Kumar exuded confidence about his victory and said dissident activities would not affect his chances as the constituency was a stronghold of the Congress. 

 

Mr Anil Kumar said that he sought every Congress leaders’ help including former union minister Veerappa Moily’s support to emerge victorious in MLC elections. Former minister and KPCC vice president V Muniyappa, who was in the race for the ticket, reportedly told Mr K H Muniyappa that he would not backstab anybody. In fact, the Lok Sabha member on Thursday visited the house of Mr V Muniyappa and sought his support in favour of Congress candidate.