Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, May 4: Srikar Prabhu, an independent candidate contesting from the Mangaluru South constituency in the upcoming Karnataka assembly polls, has started his campaign in a unique way. After getting symbol of auto rickshaw from election commission, he distributed miniature replicas of auto rickshaws and kickstarted his campaign. A team of 900 dedicated supporters are working for his victory with all positive energy. Being a strong Hindu fighter, he is confident of giving an unexpected result in the coastal region.
His team has set up small publicity squads of 7-8 members including youth, women and the elderly. Every morning they spread across various parts of the constituency and start campaigning for their leader. It continues up to midnight. Apart from public rallies, meetings, visits to various institutions and religious places, Srikar Prabhu himself visits houses to campaign. In common view, it seems as if Prabhu is a candidate belonging to a national party.
Development works such as a proper drainage system in city, daily water supply, new fish market in city, modern playground, well-equipped swimming pool, street lights, lake development, solid waste management, new bus stand, development of hospitals are some of the major promises Srikar Prabhu has made in his election manifesto.
Speaking to Daijiworld on election preparations, Srikar Prabu said, "From past 33 years, I have been active in politics and been among the people of Mangaluru. I have worked with many MLAs, MLCs and MPs of Mangaluru. So people identify me easily and they talk of my abilities and achievements. They welcome me into their houses and recognize me as the former BJP leader and a pro-Hindu fighter. Now I am out of the party. Without giving proper explanation, BJP expelled me, but I am still following the principles of BJP and Hindutva. Even after they expelled me, I did not stop my social service. I remained active in society.
"Now people are giving me wholehearted welcome into their houses. They are sharing the frustration on both BJP and Congress with my supporters. Day by day, I am getting more supporters. They are campaigning for my victory throughout the constituency. My community members are also extending their support. The closeness they are showing increases my confidence and I can say the people of Mangaluru South will support me and this will come as a surprise to BJP and Congress," said Prabhu.
"I have been doing social service behind the scenes for the last four years, and now I have decided that I should continue my public service as a people's representative. I agree that I have grown through the blessings of Sangh and its leaders. Atal Bihari Vajpayee is my role model, he is my inspiration. I am also a supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I will continue to work for Modi in the next Lok Sabha elections without being identified with the BJP," says Prabhu.
According to political analysts, Srikar Prabhu, an active RSS member, could significantly damage BJP vote share in the constituency. A large number of RSS members, his friends who are BJP members and members of GSB community have joined Srikar Prabhu.