Karwar, Apr 22: The decision of several local Congress stalwarts in BJP bastion Uttara Kannada to refrain from campaigning for Janata Dal (Secular) candidate in the constituency has given rise to speculations among people.
In spite of the lack of developmental works in the constituency, political pundits believe that the continued Modi wave and local Congress leaders’ reluctance to back JDS candidate Anand Asnotikar may ultimately help the five-time BJP MP and union minister Anant Kumar Hegde.
Over the last three decades, the constituency had witnessed a straight fight between the Congress and the Janata Dal. Many Congress leaders believe that if JD(S) wins the seat, it may harm the future of Congress in the region.
Anant Kumar Hegde, who is known for his provocative remarks, won the seat for the first time in 1996 elections. He was re-elected in 1998, but lost to Margaret Alva in 1999. Hegde wrested the seat from the Congress in 2004. He retained the seat in 2009 and in 2014. Hegde edged out Prashant Deshpande of Congress in the last election.
This time around, the grand old party is not in the picture. As per the seat-sharing agreement, the Congress has ceded its once-bastion to its alliance partner the JD(S). Senior Congress leaders from the district R V Deshpande and Margaret Alva were not amused with the party leadership to concede the constituency to the JD(S).
“Margaret Alva and I wanted Uttara Kannada seat for Congress as the party has a solid base here. But the party leadership ceded the seat to the JD(S). Disappointed, but we have to obey the decision. Congress leaders and workers in the district are working for the victory of Anand,” said Revenue Minister R V Deshpande.
But the Congress leaders, including former MLA Satish Sail, did not show any interest in campaigning for Asnotikar.
Deshpande and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy attended road shows and election rallies in the last few days of public campaigning, seeking votes for coalition candidate Asnotikar.
Anand Asnotikar comes from a political family. He made a successful debut in the electoral politics in 2009 Assembly elections from Karwar on Congress ticket. He lost the next two Assembly elections - on BJP ticket (2013) and as a JD(S) candidate in 2018. He is banking on the poor report card of incumbent MP.
On the other hand 51-year-old Hegde has strong links with the RSS which helped him in securing a berth in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Council of Ministers couple of years ago.
Cases of rioting, unlawful assembly and promoting enmity among groups were lodged against him in 1993 for being a part of the mob during riots in the communally-sensitive coastal town of Bhatkal. In 1994, he dodged prohibitory orders in Hubballi and reached the disputed Idgah Maidan with two others to the hoist the national flag on August 15. In last few years he faced several cases for physically assaulting people on different occasions and delivering provocative speeches.
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