Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru Feb 3: Mulky-Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotian beat four-term MLA and former minister K Abhayachandra Jain in 2018 to help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) open its account in Moodbidri.
Moodbidri had elected either Congress or Janata Dal or Janata or Swatantra Party candidates during the last 12 elections since 1962. Kotian, who had lost to Abhayachandra Jain in 2013 by a margin of 4,550 votes, trounced the former Minister with a comfortable margin of 29,799 votes in 2018.
Known to be 'no nonsense' people's representative, Umanath Kotian reveals interesting details about his political journey as an MLA in an exclusive interview on Daijiworld 24x7's Public Challenge with Daijiworld editor-in-chief Walter Nandalike.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q: In the next 3-4 months, you will complete two years of your tenure as an MLA. This is for the first time you became an MLA. After becoming MLA, you have been in news for your works. In the year 2013, you lost the elections with a less margin. Since then, what changes have you done and what was the reason behind your victory? Is it Abhayachandra Jain's failure? Your personality or Modi's popularity?
A: I lost the 2013 elections with a meagre margin. Unexpectedly, I got the ticket even though I was not an aspirant. It was the people's desire to give me the ticket to contest elections. Despite losing elections, I was with the people and have interacted with them. My political guru Palemar had asked me to contest from the North area, but I preferred to contest from Moodbidri. People have elected me and blessed me in the year 2018. I never thought in my dreams that I will become an MLA as I hail from a poor background.
Unexpectedly, I entered into politics. I worked to strengthen BJP in Mulky Moodbidri constituency where BJP had only 15 to 20% votes. I worked from booth level to strengthen the party. People desired that I contest from Moodbidri constituency and hence I got the ticket to contest.
Q: There were several instances where you have taken officials to task. The videos have become viral on social media which was widely appreciated by the people. Do you have any comments?
A: I am very sincere towards my work. An MLA will be satisfied when people are in peace. Many people approach me for small problems. If Revenue and Police department works properly, then people will not approach me. Officials harass people for simple documents like income certificate. If one call from me can get the work done immediately, then why they cannot do their duty well before my call?
Q: Recently you have walked out from the KDB meeting. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Kota Srinivas Poojary and you were able to walk out courageously from the meeting due to the behaviour of an official.
A: There is wet well at Pacchanady due to which all the water of Maravoor dam got contaminated. I had even asked MCC commissioner to look into the issue. Even the local people of Moodshedde had health issues due to the contaminated water and I had repeatedly requested the MCC official to send drinking water to the people. But the official spoke rudely to me. I had asked to arrange water for the people. So during the KDB meeting, I raised this issue seeking justice. In presence of the official, I walked out.
Q: What will be your vision for the next three years?
A: Moodbidri has become a taluk now. My utmost priority is road development. Moodbidri is a holy place as it called as Jaina Kaashi and Vidhya Kaashi. I have listed out few basic facilities required for the development of Moodbidri for Rs 150 crore. UGD needs to be constructed. We will make Moodbidri a model place and win hearts of the people. Constructing road, providing water and electricity will be utmost priority. Even mini Vidhana Soudha will soon come up. The road has to be widened in some areas. There is place called Kadala Kere which has to be upgraded and made into a tourist spot like Pilikula for which I have urged minister for Rs 5 crore for the same.
Q: BJP has won in all the constituencies in the district expect Ullal. Is it difficult to get support for the development works without ministerial posts to the leaders of our district?
A: BJP government is ruling in the state. Yediyurappa is the chief minister who gives what we ask. Kateel has transformed in the last one and half months in terms of road development work taken up at a cost of Rs 25 crore. Yes we need ministerial post but Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district are inspiration for the country in strengthening the BJP family. We could have fought like people of Bengaluru for the ministerial posts. Angara is six-time MLA and he should have been given the post. Time will definitely come for it.
Q: There was widespread anti and pro CAA protests across the country and state. Recently Defence minister Rajnath Singh addressed a rally, while at Adyar there was anti CAA protest.
A: Citizen Amendment Act is a very good act. We need not tell about the act to the educated ones and it will not affect the citizens of India. CAA will be given to minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Parsis in Pakistan, Bangladesh who came to our countries as refugees due to atrocities faced in the Islamic countries. I can’t understand why the Muslims and communists are protesting. There are several people from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered illegally to our country without any documents. This will affect them. Congress has diverted the minds of the people. The Muslims in our country will not face trouble due to this act.
If there is any doubt regard to act, we will clear it out and there is no need of protesting and creating violence. Prime Minister Modi, Defence minister Rajnath Singh and other leaders are addressing people to clear the doubts of the people. Political party Congress has divided the people on the basis of religion for vote bank. Congress and Communists are facing suffocation and are blown away with Modi wave. BJP had earlier said it in its manifesto about introducing the act, abrogation of Article 370. BJP stands by its ideology of delivering what is promised. Congress never delivered what they promised but just fooled people.
Watch full interview here: