News: Shekar Ajekar
Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri (RD/SB)
Moodbidri, Dec 28: The women candidates are wielding their powers in the two significant ZP constituencies – Shirtady and Puttige. Both these constituencies come under the women reservation owing to political reasons. The Congress and JDS parities have taken this as a challenge in order to cautiously play their political cards. The election campaign that was in lull has picked up speed as just 3 days are left for the elections.
It's All About Women Competitors
Congress, BJP and JDS parties have wielded their most popular candidates to contest in the forthcoming elections of ZP and TP. Both Shirtady and Puttige constituencies were reserved for men in the last elections, while Congress and JDS secured one each of posts.
Sucharita Shetty who found political base through JDS was deprived of ZP president, but succeeded in becoming the president during the President’s rule. However, its owing to the influence of BJP led state administration; Sucharita joined the BJP by revolting against JDS.
Meanwhile, Sucharita Shetty has allowed his wife to contest from his constituency as BJP candidate and try for her victory.
BJP activists also face the awkward situation this time during ZP and TP elections, as they faced in the last legislative assembly elections, when Jagdish Adhikari of Congress contested on BJP ticket. Sucharita Shetty who found political base from JDS has been allowed to contest his wife in the forthcoming elections. Despite the party activists are frustrated they are determined to work for her victory.
Sucharita’s friend Thodar Divakar Shetty who owns a Recreation Club here has allowed his wife to contest against to each others wives. Divakar’s wife Amita D Shetty will contest as JDS candidate opposite of Sucharita’s wife Sunita Shetty as BJP candidate, which makes to two women from Bunts community are contesting among each other. Sunita Shetty is the present president of Paladka gram panchayat.
Congress candidate Shalet Pinto got political revival owing to women reservation. Congress party has allowed Shalet Pinto, popular among Christian and minority communities to contest opposite of Bunts candidates contesting as BJP and JDS candidates.
If BJP and JDS win the forthcoming elections it would mean that their husbands secure the victory. It will also politicize the families. Both of them are likely to become dummy ZP representatives, being heard from the voters of the constituency.
The votes of Bunts community will be divided while other votes will be a blessing for Congress. BJP had increased his influence in the constituency in the past 3 years. The political analysts are of the opinion that BJP had been working towards preparing ground with the aim of future legislative assembly elections, while Congress hopes victory for their candidate.
Shirtady Constituency
There will be a triangle contest among Congress candidate Ambika D Shetty, BJP’s candidate Sharada Kotian and JDS candidate Lucy Lobo.
Political analysts say that the votes will be divided among the 3 candidates which will enable the candidates to win with a little margin of votes. The influence of MLA Abhayachandra Jain in the constituency will also contribute for the victory of Congress.
BJP has been working on shunning the popularity of Abhayachandra Jain in both the constituencies with their eyes of future legislative assembly elections.
It’s significant that Congress candidate Ambika Shetty and JDS candidate Amita Shetty who is contesting from Puttige are close relatives.
The voting on Friday December 31 will reveal the verdict of voters!!