Udupi Bypoll: Congress, BJP Accelerate Campaign
Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Mar 11: Political parties have accelerated their Udupi - Chikmagalur bypoll campaign by reaching out to voters across constituency. State and national leaders of both Congress and BJP have camped in various places to give 'star status' to the campaign.
Senior BJP leader and member of parliament Ananth Kumar took a 'padayatra' around Karkala and sought votes for BJP candidate Sunil Kumar. He was accompanied by state minister Govinda Karajola, Tipatur MLA Nagesh, Udupi BJP district president Udaya Kumar Shetty, and a number of party workers.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Ananth Kumar expressed the confidence of winning the bypoll by a huge margin. He recalled the contribution of the late Dr V S Acharya and declared that the BJP's victory will be dedicated to Dr Acharya for his contribution to the state, and the district in particular. He hailed the administration of CM Sadananda Gowda, and said people will vote for the development programmes undertaken by BJP government in the state.
He ridiculed Veerappa Moliy, and criticised him saying, "Moily in his tenure as CM of Karnataka did nothing for the district, that's the reason he ran away from his home district to Chikkaballapur for fighting elections."
On the other hand, state Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and Dr Parameshwar have been seeking votes for Congress candidate J P Hegde. Both leaders have stationed in the district and criticising the ruling BJP. The latest blue film episode, mining scam, corruption, internal differences within the party etc have been their main weapons to fight against the BJP.
Parameshwar has been visiting religious places to pray and seek votes from religious leaders. He visited Udupi Church and met its parish priest to seek his blessing and urged hime vote for Congress.
Gopal Bhandary, Karkala MLA has alleged that BJP has made a secret agreement with JD(S) to defeat Congress in the state. "If JD(S) is really a secular party, it should not have been fielded its candiate. By fielding Boje Gowda, it has proved that it does not want to fight against communal forces in the state."
Congress candidate J P Hegde said that the state government is on the verge of a collapse. There may be mid-term assembly elections in the coming days, he said. He expressed his confidence of winning this bypoll.