Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (MS)

Puttur, Feb 14: The SDPI has decided to field Shafi Bellare, who is in judicial custody in the case related to the murder of BJP Yuva Morcha leader Praveen Nettaru, in the coming legislative assembly elections.

The decision was taken in the meeting of office bearers and activists of the party that was held in the taluk on February 10 under the leadership of Abdul Majeed Mysuru, state unit president.

Ibrahim Sagar, president of Puttur zonal committee of SDPI, said, “Shafi Bellare is the secretary of state unit of SDPI. It was decided six months ago to field him as candidate of SDPI in the upcoming legislative assembly elections. Later, he was arrested in Praveen Nettaru murder case. So it is decided to field Shafi as the candidate. An official announcement to this effect will be made by national president M K Faizi.”

Party sources said, “Accusation against Shafi is not proven. An undertrial prisoner can file nomination and contest election from prison. If any legal issue is faced in the candidature of Shafi, Ibrahim Sagar will be fielded as the SDPI candidate.”