Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Apr 18: District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj on Wednesday, Apr 18, said that he is not worried about his opponent contesting the elections and is confident about people’s support in him.
Addressing media at press club here he spoke regarding strong opponent in Udupi assembly constituency fielded by the opposition parties. Meanwhile, the BJP is yet to announce its candidate from Udupi constituency.
Pramod Madhwaraj said, “I am not bothered about my opponent. People know about my service towards public and also the development works I have done. It is not important that how others will campaign? We have not called any state ministers to campaign as everyone is busy in campaigning. As this is my fourth election, I have my own way of approaching people.
“The party is behind me and bigger than me. I have confidence in people of Udupi. Disgruntled matters should be cleared with one to one communication,” he said.
“A huge Janashirvada convention is jointly organized by Udupi Block Congress committee and Brahmavar Block Congress committee on April 22 at Royal Garden Kalsanka. Congress leaders of five local constituencies will take part in the convention. Kaup MLA Vinaya Sorake, Byndoor MLA Gopal Poojary, MLC Pratap Shetty, INTUC chairman Rakesh Malli, Minority Commission chairman M A Gafoor, and recently selected candidate Uday Kumar Shetty Muniyalu and others will be part of the convention.
“I have decided to file my nomination on April 23,” he informed.
Speaking on the indifferences in Karkala constituency, he said, “It will be sorted out soon. Many meetings have been held smoothly at all booth levels.”
“The main points of the election manifesto would be supplying drinking water from Varahi project costing Rs 270 crore. The plan will be successfully implemented in the upcoming years, and establishment of medical and high-tech hospital. Two multi-village drinking water projects in Thenknidiyur and Chantaru are in final stage. The state committee has given approval. Another point would be providing site for homeless, solving technical problems in 94 C and 94 CC and issues of Parambuku and Goamala lands,” he said.
Regarding the strict implementation of election code of conduct, the minister said that it has hindered the enthusiasm of people. “It has hit our election campaign too. As a candidate, one has to inform his schedule before 48 hours to get permission. That is why all movements of party workers got crippled. The election code of conduct has been created unwanted fear among people and led to panic. Elections are supposed to be celebrated like festivals.”
Commenting about surveys of media on upcoming elections, he said, “Survey has been done, but the mood of voters and party workers will not remain the same.”
Speaking on rumours of the minister preventing former MLA Raghupati Bhat from getting a ticket, he said, “Who am I to do that? I am not bothered about my opponents.”
Janardhan Thonse, president of district Congress, Narasimhamurthy, president of Urban Development, Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, president, CMC, Satish Amin Padukere, president, Udupi Block Congress committee, and Divaker were present.