Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, May 13: MLA Rajesh Naik has come out victorious as a leader with a margin of 8,282 votes in the tough competition between Bellippadi and Ulippadiguthu bunts clans here. Ramanath Rai was ahead only in the initial stages in postal ballots. Rajesh Naik was ahead later till the last stage of counting.

Out of the total votes of 1,83,428, Rajesh Naik of BJP received 93,324, Ramanath Rai of Congress 85,042, Prakash Gomes of JDS 454, Purushotham Kolpe of Aam Aadmi 495, Ilyas Thumbe of SDPI 5,436 and NOTA 821.

Though Ramanath Rai kept saying in his speeches that this is his last contest and caused sympathy, he lost in his ninth contest. Ramanath Rai who was MLA six times was defeated thrice. Rajesh Naik has been victorious twice.

Rajesh Naik who was defeated in 2013, won in 2018 with a margin of 15,971 votes. He brought more than Rs 2,000 crore funds as the MLA and did development works. Though he has won this time, the margin of votes has considerably reduced.

Rajesh Naik is the degree holder and a progressive farmer. He was watching the election results at his home. As he was declared victorious he offered prayers to Kodamanithaya deity. He later proceeded with his friend Vivek Shetty Nagriguthu, Srikanth Shetty, Rashmit Shetty and activists to NITK vote counting centre. He received the declaration, went to the district office and then to Polali temple.

The BJP party activists celebrated in front of the party office at B C Road after the announcement. Party leaders Harikrishna Bantwal, Sridhar Shetty Pulincha, Dombaya Arala, Purushotham Salian, Navin Ayodhya, Prakash Anchan, Charan Jumadigudde, Purushotham Poojary, Madhava Karbettu, Udaya Kumar Nagri Kanjila, Sathish Shetty Pallamajalu were present.

The defeat of former minister Ramanath Rai has stunned the local Congress leaders. There were very few activists in the Congress office.