Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Mar 17: With BJP recently announcing Capt Brijesh Chowta as their candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress is now actively strategizing to select a formidable opponent to challenge Chowta.

Chowta hails from the influential Bunts community, the same community to which former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel belonged. In the 2019 elections, Congress fielded Mithun Rai, also from the Bunt community, who lost the contest. This time, Congress appears to be considering a shift in strategy by nominating a candidate from the Billava community, the largest community in the district.

Padmaraj Ramaiah with Janardhan Poojary

Sources suggest that Padmaraj Ramaiah, known as a protege of veteran Congressman Janardhan Poojary, is likely to receive the party's approval and the decision is likely to be out on March 18. However, there are other experienced candidates in the running, such as Vinay Kumar Sorake, who has served as both MP and minister in the state cabinet, and R Sudhakar, the general secretary of KPCC.

Padmaraj’s name was previously considered for candidacy during the 2019 assembly elections but was ultimately passed over in favor of sitting MLA J R Lobo. This time, however, indications suggest that Padmaraj is the frontrunner, with sources within the party claiming that the party high command is also leaning towards endorsing his candidacy.