Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB/NDF)

Mangaluru, May 5: MLA Moideen Bava seems to be one of the very few candidates in the history of Karnataka politics who is contesting an election and asking for votes not using the name of his party, but on the developmental work he has done as a sitting MLA. After being confirmed the ticket, he started his campaign almost a year ago and seems to be heading in the right direction.

Everywhere he goes, his plea is simple. “Vote for me because I have brought about development,” he requests. And this seems to be doing the trick. His party men and followers say that most of the voters of his constituency have already endeared themselves to him.

It will not be easy to forget the development that Suratkal has seen in the last five years. Hardly, anyone can say that the area has seen no development. At least, not after what people have seen in the last five years. It seems almost as though Suratkal has made as much progress in five years as it has seen in its entire history post-independence. And this is showing on the voters in the Mangaluru North constituency. The opposition will need to come up with a different idea to fight this battle if they want to see their rival routed.

Bava has contributed funds to temples and churches, brought in crores of rupees for the development of Suratkal which includes roads, drainages and other basic amenities and also helped a large chunk of poor and needy people getting monetary help from the chief minister’s relief fund.

Bava has contributed not just to any single community, but all communities that includes Bunts and Billawas. He has especially built a good rapport with every community by constructing roads in their area and upgrading infrastructure. He has been an integral part of their festivities and this has endeared him to their hearts. Therefore, it seems almost sure that Bava will win this election by virtue of his track-record and will not be dependent on his party.

It is also pertinent to note that although BJP’s candidate Dr Bharat Shetty is a Bunt himself, neither has he contributed anything noteworthy to the community nor been a part of their important events. As a result, the Bunts have nothing for which to be indebted to him.

Speaking to Daijiworld Moideen Bava said, "I have full confidence on my victory because the people of my constituency have been generous towards me. They need more and more development in their areas and seeing my past developmental record, they have been supporting me openly. I have cent percent guarantee that they will elect me once again.”

Speaking exclusively to Daijiworld, Rahman, a supporter of Bava and Congress worker said, "We are not campaigning on the basis of community or religion. People of all communities blessed Bava in the last election. They want him to continue his leadership in the constituency. They are witnesses for the developmental works done by Bava in the constituency. So definitely they will vote for him without any hesitation. We are not concentrating on attack and allegations of the BJP. Meanwhile, we are not bothered about their internal issues. We are clear in our agenda and campaign strategy. We started door-to-door visit of voters’ houses six months ago and now we have completed three rounds of visit.”

Meanwhile, political analysts say that the dispute in BJP which started during ticket announcement will reflect in the election results. Most of BJP supporters wanted former MLA Krishna J Palemar to be the candidate. The move from BJP to field Dr Bharat Shetty itself seems to be a major setback to the party. The groupism in BJP will benefit Bava and it will make his victory easy.