Udupi: Will 'Nagarjuna' Play a Key Role in Kaup Constituency?
Special Political Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network Mangalore
Udupi, Apr 8: Once upon a time Kaup assembly constituency was the trump card of the Congress party with former fisheries minister winning the seat five times continuously until Lalaji Mendon of BJP put a break on him in the last assembly elections. The common understanding among people was, 'Any candidate in Kaup who gets ticket from Congress will win. Here personality is not importantant but people are too fond of 'hand' (Congress).'
When BJP swept the coastal constituencies last time, despite being given ministerial berth in S M Krishna's rule to Vasanth V Salian, Congress could not win the seat.
But there was a strong reason behind this, as Gladys Almeida who was opposing Vasanth Salian along with her supporters was one of the aspirants for the ticket last time. When high command ignored some of the party workers' demand and gave the seat to Vasanth V Salian, Gladys contested as rebel candidate and took away several Congress votes. As a result Vasanth Salian lost the election by mere 1500 votes. The conflict within Congress brought victory to BJP in Kaup.
But the current scenario is quite different. Salian still faces strong opposition within the party. There is a rumour from Congress zone making the rounds that former MP Vinay Kumar Sorake is planning to contest assembly elections this time, not from Udupi but from Kaup.
Learning the news of Sorake's interest in contesting assembly poll, Daijiworld contacted him over the phone, but Sorake denied any such aspiration to contest from Kaup. 'It is not true,' he said. But he never confirmed if he is willing to contest state assembly polls or wait to enter parliament next year!
Political experts from Udupi say that BJP will surely retain Kaup this elections too as some of the areas of Udupi and Brahmavar constituencies have been included under Kaup and some areas from Belman, Nandalike, Inna, Mundukr, Sooda with a strong Congress presence have been removed from Kaup and included under Karkala constituency.
But BJP has very little to think about when they choose their candidate to contest from Kaup. Sitting MLA Lalaji Mendon is the first choice, especially after Yeddyurappa confirmed that he would be given ticket during his visit to the district last week.
It is interesting to note that anti-Nagarjuna lobby plays a key role in this constituency. As none of the political parties openly supported 'anti-Nagarjuna' groups, the environmentalists are quite angry. Whoever supports anti-Nagarjuna groups will have clear a upper hand in the upcoming elections, because it means winning the support of thousands of villagers in the entire Kaup belt who are not happy with the Nagarjuna project.
On the other hand, sources close to Daijiworld confirm that one cannot deny the fact that the anti-Nagarjuna committees may field their own candidate. If that is the case, the elections will be tougher but more interesting and Congress will have very little chance to win from here.
JD(S) has also confirmed its participation from Kaup, but it will be a mere contest with their candidate lacking the requisite charm, say political pundits. 'If JDS retains its deposit, it will be a big thing'.
Ultimately, the main contest here will be between BJP and Congress. A dynamic candidate from Congress may end BJP's dream to retain this seat. However, looking at the experience and the community support enjoyed by Vasanth V Salian, the tables may well turn at the eleventh hour in favour of Salian.
Three-time zilla panchayat elected member Sarasu D Bangera is projected as another potent ion candidate, and so also Shirva Mandala Panchayat president Ignatuis D'Souza from Congress who has also filed his nomination.
Another possibility that cannot be ignored is that in case Salian is denied ticket from Congress there is a clear possibility of Salian joining JD(S). After all, anything can happen in politics!
Till then, cross your fingers and watch what happens next.
Assembly Election 2008: Coverage