JD(S) may field Hyder Parthipady from DK, Dhananjay Kumar from Udupi

Deekshith D V
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Mar 16: Eyeing minority votes and to strengthen the base of JD(S) in coastal districts, the party is likely to field Hyder Parthipady from Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency and former BJP and KJP member V Dhananjay Kumar from Udupi-Chikmagalur.

According to the party sources, JD(S) decided to field Hyder Parthipady from Dakshina Kannada constituency in a recent internal meeting presided over by the party's district president. JD(S) leaders have also sent Hyder Parthipady's name to the state leaders for approval, it is learnt.

Speaking to daijiworld, Parthipady said that the JD(S) leaders wanted him to contest from Mangalore and coaxed him to agree. "There are 4.56 lac Muslim voters in Dakshina Kannada constituency, and if you add the total minority electorate in the district, the figure reaches 6 lac. Everyone wants me to contest, so I agreed," he said.

"Congress and BJP have never given opportunity to Muslims to contest the elections. Even U K Monu who was an aspirant for Congress ticket had to face defeat. In 1989, JD(S) had fielded Mohammed Hussain from Mangalore and he won 1.62 lac votes. At that time there were only 3 lac Muslim voters in the district," he added.

"The party workers have taken a unanimous decision to field me. Some of them have even said that if my name is not finalized, they would not campaign. My name has already been sent to the JD(S) leaders for approval," Parthipady said.
 
Hyder Parthipady is well-known in the community, and if he wins, JD(S) hopes to establish a strong base in the coastal region. Presently, Parthipady is the district president of Karnataka Muslim Jamaat Council and enjoys good influence in the community. Mainly, Parthipady is being fielded in Dakshina Kannada to woo minority votes of various communities. Hence, Dhananjay Kumar, who was earlier touted as the JD(S) candidate from Mangalore, will now be fielded from the Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency.
 
Speaking to daijiworld.com over the phone, Dhanajay Kumar said “Yes, am going to join JD(S), it will be officially announced within two days. JD(S) invited me with open arms so I should respect their words. If the party give me ticket I will be contesting from Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency and not from Mangalore."

Apparently miffed with his close aide and former chief minister Yeddyurappa, he said, "Yeddyurappa assured to induct me and provide a suitable position in BJP but he did not do so. There will be no change in my decision (on joining JD(S))," he added.

Dhananjay will be up against Congress sitting MP Jayaprakash Hegde, considered to be a strong candidate, and BJP's Shobha Karandlaje, who is relatively new to the constituency.