Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, May 25: “I am not totally disappointed by my loss in the Lok Sabha election. Just like night follows the day, victory is bound to follow defeat some day. Therefore, I will not lose heart at my defeat in Lok Sabha election,” said Congress candidate from Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, Mithun Rai.

“I had put in efforts for the elections. I am grateful to the voters who voted in my favour and party leaders who supported me. Nobody else other than myself is responsible for this loss,” he said.

“I congratulate Nalin Kumar Kateel, who has been re-elected as an MP. Congress party activists and I will be with him in expediting projects in the region that have been stranded,” he said.

BJP has won in this constituency this time with a margin of 2.74 lac votes, which is the highest ever. The margin of victory last time was 1.43 lac. It is said that with the defeat of the party candidate, some leaders have begun to strike discordant notes. Party leaders say that MLAs from the district had evinced lot of interest in Rai's candidature, and had promised the leadership to ensure his victory. Although many in the party had an inkling of the impending defeat, no one thought that the margin of defeat would be so wide. As Nalin was repeatedly attacked on the issue of pending projects, it was thought that even if he wins, the margin would be decreased. The tirade launched by the party leaders on the issue of incomplete flyovers at Pumpwell and Thokkottu, highway problems, Vijaya Bank merger etc had been effectively tackled by the Congress. However, when the issue of allotting ticket came, dissident voices were heard. Lack of unity when it was needed the most and employment of old tactics when engaging in campaigning at the grass root level are said to have contributed to the pathetic performance of the party from this constituency.