Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 11: After hectic parleys at the meetings of the district office-bearers of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur districts held recently and also consultations with various people, the BJP is learnt to have zeroed in on Dhananjay Kumar as the candidate for the Lok Sabha election from Mangalore constituency, while D V Sadanand Gowda (DVS), who presently represents the Mangalore constituency, is slated to be fielded from Udupi.

The district unit feels that DVS, who has represented Puttur assembly constituency and Mangalore Loksabha constituency for two terms each, has better prospects in Udupi-Chikmagalur Loksabha seat because of the caste composition that they feel, favours him. Dhananjay Kumar, who has been active after being appointed as the party spokesperson, is close to the chief minister. He is likely to be rewarded for these qualities.

The BJP is searching for a winning horse from Udupi constituency after Manorama Madhwaraj got estranged from the party leadership for various reasons and resigned before her Loksabha membership was cancelled for violating the party whip. She has expressed her disinterestedness in fighting elections hereafter but is inclined to accept nomination to Rajyasabha or legislative council membership, if offered. Presently, no party seems to be interested in accommodating her.