Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM)

Mangalore, May 15: After a lot of hide and seek game, JD (S) has finally decided to field its candidate for the June 2 interim elections for Ullal assembly constituency.

Sources have confirmed that Abubakkar Natekal would be party’s official candidate for the election.  He would submit his nomination paper on Tuesday May 15

Though there was pressure on JD (S) not to field its candidate since its coalition partner BJP had fielded its own, the leaders of JD (S) after dilly-dallying for long decided to contest elections.  Nothing was very clear till late in the evening on Monday May 14.  But some eleventh hour deliberations and instructions from party leaders ended his Abubakkar’s contesting the elections.

With this the Ullal by-polls scenario has come to an interesting mode.  Now the question is whether both BJP and JD (S) would contest or would one of them withdraw its candidate.  If withdrawal is necessary, would it be JD (S) or BJP? 

As per BJP candidate Chandrashekhar Uchil fielding JD (S) candidate would be beneficial to BJP since Muslim votes will be divided between U T Khader of Congress and Abubakkar of JD (S).  But if the same theory has to be applied for all, then, Ramchandra Uchil of CPM who is a distinguished labour union leader would surely give a solid run for money to Chandrashekhar Uchil and the votes from the majority community would be divided between the two.

On the other hand Muslim League has decided not to field its candidate since it would like to support Congress. Even Samajawadi Party has also decided not to field its candidate, but it would stay neutral, party state president Bangarappa announced.

Whatever it is, one thing is quite sure that there is serious battle on card between there local heaveyweights who have their own vote banks and strong pockets in the constituency.  Everyone is keeping his card close to his heart and playing some quick games to establish political authority in the so called Congress fortress.