Mangalore North: Headache for Congress as 'trio' in race
Political Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Apr 3: Though Congress high command has finalised the first major list for the May 5 Assembly elections, major internal differences in some of the key constituencies has forced a delay in the announcement.
In Dakshina Kannada, Mangalore north constituency has become a cause for headache to the Congress leaders in the state as well as the centre.
Mohiuddin Bava, who lost to BJP's Krishna Palemar in 2008 elections is once again heavily lobbying for the ticket. But reliable sources have informed daijiworld that this time the prospect of Bava getting the ticket is slim, as Vijay Kumar Shetty, former MLA who was deprived of the ticket last time is the front-runner.
Though the state Congress leaders have finalised his name, Sonia Gandhi was reportedly angry for sidelining women candidates in Karnataka. When Sonia handed the list back to the leaders, Kripa Alva's name was shortlisted in the candidate list from Mangalore North, denying Vijay Kumar Shetty purely on 'women's quota' basis.
When Shetty supporters got the news of Kripa Alva's inclusion, at least 11 of 12 corporators from Suratkal region threatened Congress leaders that they would resign en-masse if Shetty is not given the ticket.
In a letter to the high command and the state Congress leaders, these 11 corporators signed a memorandum to allot a ticket to Shetty, claiming that he has worked hard in the last five years and his chances of winning against Krishna Palemar, who is the probable BJP candidate, were bright.
On the other hand, the supporters of Mohiuddin Bava, who has been lobbying with Oscar Fernandes, Janardhana Poojary and Veerappa Moily, have sought ticket for him stating that this time he would emerge victorious despite his defeat last time, as he has worked for the people.
Reports reaching daijiworld have also confirmed that a large number of Muslim supporters have indirectly threatened Congress leaders that if Mohiuddin Bava (a Muslim candidate) is deprived of the ticket, majority of Muslims in the constituency and also around the region might vote against Congress. It cannot be denied that Muslim votes in the region could be instrumental in deciding the Assembly candidate in Mangalore North, Mangalore South and Mangalore (Ullal) constituencies.
On one side is pressure from Sonia to choose a woman candidate, on the other side is pressure from Shetty and Bava. Sandwiched between the two are Congress leaders whose headache seems to be increasing by the day.