Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Sep 19: "Halady Srinivas Shetty will be the BJP candidate from Kundapur constituency in the next Assembly elections. He will win with a clear majority," said Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje. Halady, an independent MLA, had quit the BJP some years ago over issue of ministerial berth, but later expressed his support after party leaders put in much efforts to woo the popular politician.

Shobha Karandlaje was speaking to media persons here on Tuesday September 19 during her visit to Kerikudru where she was identifying the site for the construction of an underpass.

"Some people have created confusion about Halady Srinivas Shetty. He has not joined BJP due to technical reasons but has supported the party since the last Lok Sabha elections. He will join our party during the upcoming Assembly elections," she said.

About Halady contesting from Byndoor constituency, she said, "Party leaders have already given a clear indication that candidates who have people's support will be fielded. Surveys are being conducted everywhere. Those who have people's support will be fielded. Halady has had good support in Kundapur from the beginning. Therefore he is our candidate."

On the construction of the underpass, she said, "When union minister Nitin Gadkari was briefed about the underpass which was a demand of the locals for many years, he consented and approved the project. The work will be over by next monsoon. I have asked officials to complete it without bothering anyone," she said.

Locals burst fireworks to celebrate approval of the underpass.

Kundapur BJP Mandala president Kadooru Suresh Shetty, BJP leaders Kiran Kodgi, Tingale Vikramarjuna Hegde, Suresh Shetty, Sadananda Balkuru, Sunil Shetty Herikudru and others were present.