Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 9: Bhaskar K was picked for the post of the mayor of the city after a slew of permutations and cast combinations were considered and discussions were held. Still, in a meeting held late evening on Thursday March 8, many within the Congress  expressed their resentment at the way the claim for the post of the first citizen of the city by the Muslim community was denied. Some legislators also indirectly expressed their opposition to the choice of the new mayor.

This happens to be the last tenure of the five-year term of the city corporation. During the previous four tenures, three Hindus and a Christian candidate had been given the post of the mayor. Therefore, the Muslim community leaders had put forward their rightful demand for this post by holding meeting. Their demand was also supported by some legislators.

It is said that the party high command overruled these claims and chose to make Bhaskar the next mayor, a decision that has disappointed several Congress leaders. Muslim leaders too are disgruntled about the treatment given to them in this connection. Some people's representatives are also worried about the repercussions this decision will have on the assembly election results. Many leaders, who have expressed unhappiness about the decision of the party leadership, have however said that they will be bound by its decision.

The city populace comprises 20 percent Christians, 60 percent Hindus and the balance 20 percent Muslims. The Hindus and Christians were represented as per the ratio of their population during the last four years. Therefore, the Muslim community was right in staking claim for the mayoral post. MLA, J R Lobo, said that he has been expressing this view since the beginning and that he had also conveyed his opinion to the party high command. "My view did not get party approval. I am committed to the decision taken by the party leadership," he explained.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Commmittee member, Kanachur Monu, too said that he and leaders of his community had sought mayoral post during this term but the party high command decided otherwise. He said that he and other leaders of the party are bound by the decision of the high command, although they are hurt at this development. He felt that the party leaders have to take steps to assuage the hurt feelings of the community.

Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai, who played an important role lin deciding the candidate, said that although Devadiga community is small, it also needs to be given representation. He said that naturally there were many aspirants and several among them would have been disappointed. He pointed out that Muslim community has been given two MLAs, post of the chairperson of zilla panchayat standing committee, and president of taluk panchayat. He said that the city corporation also has standing committees.

Corporator, Abdul Rauf, who was a strong contender for the post of the mayor, said that he too was an aspirant for the post of the mayor along with Bhaskar, a three-time corporator. "Bhaskar is my friend, and I am not unhappy about his becoming the mayor. I have wished him well. Lady luck smiled on him this time," he stated.