Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Mar 14: The BJP has announced Captain Brijesh Chowta as their official candidate for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Dakshina Kannada constituency, considered a stronghold of the party. The BJP high command preferred Chowta over the current MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel.

The Puttila Parivar, followers of Hindu leader Arun Kumar Puttila, who contested independently in the last legislative assembly elections after being denied a BJP ticket, protested against Nalin Kumar Kateel receiving the ticket once again for the Lok Sabha. Puttila Parivar also vowed that Arun would contest as an independent candidate if the BJP gives the ticket to Kateel again.

Following the announcement of Chowta as the official candidate by the BJP, Arun Kumar Puttila stated that he would discuss the matter with his followers and make a decision. It remains to be seen what move Arun Kumar Puttila will make in this regard.

Meanwhile, there is division within the Puttila Parivar, with a prominent leader breaking away from the group of followers. Rajarama Bhat, an ardent follower of Arun Kumar Puttila and one of the prominent leaders of Puttila Parivar, announced on social media that he has parted ways with the Parivar.

The intentions of another ticket aspirant Hindu leader, Satyajit Suratkal, remain unclear. Overall, it remains to be seen whether these two Hindu leaders will pose an obstacle to the BJP candidate's victory in this year's Lok Sabha elections in the Dakshina Kannada constituency.