During the last elections, the Congress and the BJP won over four constituencies each. This election, the major highlight is going to be Puttur constituency. If the talks in the BJP circles are to be believed, it is said that Puttur MLA Mallika Prasad will be replaced only to pave way for former chief minister Sadananda Gowda. As far as rests of the constituencies are concerned, it is said that the parties have not dared to look for other candidates and are planning to field the present MLAs again.
It was only former minister B Nagaraj Shetty who shifted his loyalty from the BJP to the JD(S). Apart from this no bigwigs of the region have changed parties, this season. Though former CM B S Yeddyurappa’s Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) took off with huge bang, in the region, there is no leader in the party who can be cause of worry for the BJP or the Congress. With this it is clear that the influence of JD(S), KJP, BSR party and the independent candidates will be minimum or rather negligible.
Mangalore North (Surathkal)
It is the industrial hub of the district as Mangalore North constituency is the home for New Mangalore Port, MRPL, MCF and various other industries. Popular MLA of this constituency, Krishna J Palemar who had planted his flag of victory here thrice before had faced disgrace after the porn gate incident. Though he had stepped down from his posts, he has expressed his desire to contest from the constituency this election and it is said that even the BJP has shown green signal to this tainted leader. Name of B A Moideen Bava is making rounds in the Congress circles as candidate for this constituency. However, Congress is sensing trouble because it is said that there are about 15 aspirants in the party vying for the ticket including big names like G A Bava, Vijay Kumar Shetty, Shashidhar Hegde, Kripa Alva, Mamata Gatti and MCC Mayor Gulzar Banu.
Mangalore South
This constituency, which is limited to the plush city of Mangalore, has one person representing it over the last four consecutive terms. That is N Yogish Bhat, BJP’s very own loyalist who is all set to contest from the same constituency for fifth time. However, this time name of Srikhar Prabhu vying for the ticket is also making news.
In Congress, Ivan D’Souza who was fielded against Bhat last time but lost miserably is said to have been doing all possible attempts to get the ticket. However it is said that J R Lobo, Rohan Monteiro, Suresh Ballal are some of the aspirants. JD(S) is supposedly planning to field hotelier/ educationist A Sadanand Shetty. New rebel party KJP is all set to field whistle blower Mariamma Thomas, who won as an independent candidate after being denied ticket by BJP for Municipal seat.
Mangalore (Ullal)
This constituency can be rightly called ‘Khader’s’ constituency for the simple reason that even this time Congress will field this young leader to woo the voters. However, since U T Khader and his father U T Fareed’ have had strong hold over Ullal, the BJP has to have equally good candidate to field here. It is said that BJP is contemplating on Padmanabha Kottary or Chandrahas Ullal or Santhosh Kumar Boliyar this time. JD(S) is thinking on Gangadhar Ullal, Abdul Azeez Malar or Vishwanath Pandit.
Mulky-Moodabidri
Biggest constituency of Mulky-Moodabidri is represented by Congress’s Abhaychandra Jain and even this time the Congress is all set to field him. What is fascinating is the fact that no one else has vouched for the ticket for this constituency. BJP’s Jagadish Adhikari, who had contested last time is said to be the contender even this time. However, there are possibilities of BJP fielding Mangalore PM Nalin Kumar Kateel to put a break to Congress’ flight in this constituency. It may be recalled that K Amarnath Shetty, who once held important portfolio in the State cabinet lost during last elections. However, it is said that JD(S) is yet to take a call on Amarnatha Shetty or Ashwin D’Souza as its candidate.
Bantwal
District Congress President B Ramanath Rai is the MLA representing this constituency and even this year he will be fielded by Congress. Ashwin Kumar Rai is the only aspirant who has been vying for the ticket from the Congress. Since Nagaraj Shetty has quit BJP and joined JD(S), he has already decided to keep away from elections. As far as BJP is concerned, names of Padmanabh Kottary and Rajesh Nayak have been making rounds.
Puttur
This constituency is in news. Mallika Prasad who is representing this constituency is likely to be replaced by a big name. It is said that BJP is contemplating to field none other than former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda.
Last election, Bondala Jagadish Shetty was fielded by Congress but unfortunately Shetty passed away in a road mishap. Congress, which is weighing the constituency in terms of caste fabric here is planning to field Bharath Mundodi. However aspirants Venkappa Gowda, Hemnath Shetty, Navin Bhandary, Nabiraj Jain and others have applied for the ticket. M B Sadashiva and Dinesh Kailas are possible candidates of JD(S) while former MLA Shakunthala Shetty, who broke out of the BJP has not yet made her stand clear.
Sullia
This constituency is the only reserved constituency and this constituency has been won over by BJP’s S Angara for the last four times. Even this election the BJP is quite sure about fielding him for the fifth time. Congress is contemplating either on Dr Raghu or on Gokuldas. Shivananda and Nandaraj are also possible candidates.
Belthangady
K Vasanth Bangera is the MLA of this constituency. What is interesting is the fact that Bangera who had initially declared that he would not contest this election owing to health reasons, has now expressed desire to contest elections from Congress ticket. This may be a cause of worry for the BJP because this candidate who had changed parties very often had won over the constituency no matter which party he contested from.
However, in case the Congress does not entertain Bangera, then Harish Kumar will be seen as the Congress’ candidate. As far as BJP is concerned, it is said that they are in a look out for a new face and there are all possibilities of BJP fielding Ranjan Gowda, son of former minister Gangadhar Gowda.
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