Mangaluru: Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai has alleged that decades of communal politics have come at the cost of development in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, urging young people to prioritise employment and progress over religious polarisation.

Addressing candidates attending a free coaching programme for Civil Police Constable and Armed Reserve Police recruitment examinations organised by the Rai Charitable Trust in Puttur, the Congress legislator said the coastal districts have failed to receive their fair share of government attention despite their economic and educational significance.

“Politics in this region has revolved around religion for far too long. That mindset must change. People should support those who deliver development rather than those who thrive on divisive politics,” Rai said.

He claimed that a review of Karnataka’s state budgets over the past decade would show that Dakshina Kannada and Udupi had received comparatively fewer grants and development allocations.

Rai said his trust aims to improve employment prospects for local youth through free coaching and skill development initiatives. He expressed confidence that the current programme would be a success if between 150 and 200 participants secured jobs in the police department.

He announced that the trust would soon extend free coaching to candidates preparing for village accountant recruitment examinations as well.

Highlighting employment opportunities in the region, the MLA said the trust had already facilitated contractual appointments in the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). He added that a veterinary college expected to begin functioning from the next academic year would create around 75 to 100 jobs, while the proposed medical college in Puttur could eventually generate nearly 10,000 employment opportunities once fully operational.

Rai also encouraged aspirants not to be discouraged if they were unsuccessful in the police recruitment process. Instead, he advised them to apply for every government recruitment drive for which they were eligible.

He pointed out that the state government is recruiting more than 1,000 teachers for residential schools for BEd graduates and around 15,000 teachers for Karnataka Public Schools (KPS), urging the youth to make the most of these opportunities.