Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 27: Since ages, the area between Barkur in Udupi district to Chandragiri in Kasargod district has been treated as Tulunadu, which has a distinct culture and customs. There has been a demand since long to carve out Tulunadu as a separate state.

'Tuluvere party' has been registered with the Central Election Commission. The party aims at providing political teeth to the demands being put forth by Tulu organizations.

Tulu is one among the five Dravidian languages. It is now prospering in the fields of academic and research. The other four languages, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu, have already won constitutional recognition but Tulu has been lagging behind. Tulu organizations say that their demands are being overlooked for lack of political clout. The newly formed party will enter the election field in the coming days.

The political parties currently existing, Tulu organizations allege, have not been extending enough support for the development of Tulu language and culture. Tuluvere Paksha central president Shylesh R J, says that the party is making preparations to take a plunge in the coming taluk and zilla panchayat elections by making a list of candidates. The party will field candidates in all the constituencies between Barkur and Kasargod. He said that within one to two years, the party will have its own symbol. After the election commission issues no objection certificate, its flag will be readied, he stated.

Over 500 people from Delhi, Mumbai and other places have enrolled as the life members of the Tuluvere Paksha, it is said. In the coming days, the party will be fighting elections with protection of Tulu language, culture and survival as the main agenda.