Udupi: With DVS Resignation, Lobbying for Candidature Hots Up
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Dec 29: As Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has tendered his resignation for his Lok Sabha seat, the aspirations of prospective candidates, both from Congress and BJP, have started to burn again. Gowda represented Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency before opting to become an MLC.
As of now, there are three ticket aspirants within BJP, while Congress has four. The fact that bypoll for the constituency will have to be held within six months, has given rise to a flurry of activities within the camps of the respective candidates. Many expect the bypoll to be held by March 2012, as the season of annual examinations will begin thereafter, creating hurdles in the election process.
Out of the eight assembly constituencies located in this Lok Sabha constituency, seven are represented by BJP legislators, leaving Karkala alone to Congress party. If we take into account this fact, former MLA, V Sunil Kumar from Karkala might get the nod. Sunil, being an activist of Hindu organizations, is widely known in both Udupi and Chikmagalur districts, as he was born and brought up in Chikmagalur district before shifting to Karkala.
However, district BJP president, Uday Kumar Shetty, also has strong hopes of getting the ticket. “BJP is sure to bag this seat. Although names of Sunil Kumar and Pranesh are making the rounds, I am sure I will be the party candidate for the poll,” he said. The name of Pranesh from Chikmagalur is also emerging as a prospective BJP candidate, as there is a lobby arguing the case of giving ticket to a person from that district.
Some sources said Sunil is not too much interested to contest the Lok Sabha poll. Instead, he has shown interest to fight the assembly election in 2013. Many believe that because of this, BJP will be left with the choice of either picking Pranesh or Uday Kumar Shetty. Uday Kumar has high hopes, as his supporters feel that Chikmagalur district president, Pranesh, has already been accommodated in Forest Development Corporation. They also pin hopes on their leader’s chances for the fact that Karkala assembly constituency will not be left with a winning candidate if Sunil Kumar gets elected to Lok Sabha.
Former state minister Jayprakash Hegde, who fought and lost the Lok Sabha poll last time, former MP, Vinay Kumar Sorake, B L Shankar from Chikmagalur, and D K Taradevi are the four names emerging from Congress party. Shankar is a senior leader, who was also the chairman of legislative council. Taradevi is not well known in Udupi district. Jayaprakash Hegde, it is said, has already completed a round of visiting party activists and garnering their support. At present, it appears, Hegde has an edge over the other aspirants.
A clear picture may emerge within a week or two from now. While Shantaram, representing Congress high command, visited the district recently to collect opinions, Abdul Basha from Andhra Pradesh will be coming here for the same purpose on December 29. He will move around both the districts on that day to study the pulses of party activists. Madhusudan will come on January 10 to finalize the candidate. As Jayaprakash Hegde had lost by a small margin last time, he has a bright prospect, a number of Congress insiders believe.