DK constituency: Nalin BJP candidate

Team Udayavani, Mar 22, 2019, 2:25 AM IST

Congress might finalise its candidate today

Mangaluru: Incumbent MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has been selected for the third consecutive time as the BJP candidate for Dakshina Kannada constituency. Election activity is catching pace in the constituency.

But, there is no clarity on who will be the candidate for Congress in the constituency. Several ticket aspirants are in the race including Ramanath Rai, Vinay Kumar Sorake, M N Rajendra Kumar, Mithun Rain and others. The High Command has not yet decided on whom to give the ticket. But there is a possibility that the candidate may be finalized during the important meeting to be held at New Delhi on Friday.

Congress competition goes to Delhi

On Thursday, DK district Congress leader left for Delhi to take part in a meeting there. Central Congress leaders were expected to take part in the meeting. But due to sudden development of events, the meeting was postponed to Friday.

Along with the ticket aspirants, Congress High Command had called all its important incumbent- former leaders to immediately come to New Delhi. Accordingly, Ramanath Rai, B K Hariprasad, Ivan D’Souza, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Mithun Rai, U K Monu and others left for Delhi.

One phase of the meeting in connection to the selection of a candidate for the constituency has been conducted under the leadership of state Congress in-charge Venugopal at New Delhi on Thursday evening. Minister Khader and district Congress president Harish Kumar participated in the meeting. According to sources, Venugopal gave a strict direction station that no matter to whom the ticket is provided to contest from Dakshina Kannada district, it is important that all the leaders stand united and face the election. No scope should be given to confusion or rebellion.

According to reliable sources, discussion have been held during the meeting regarding 3-4 leaders and the possibility of giving the ticket to any one of them. Based on seniority, the ticket will be given  either to Ramanath Rai or Vinay Kumar Sorake while on the basis of a new face, Mithun Rai may be considered, is the opinion expressed during the meeting. Dr Rajendra Prasad and B K Hariprasad’s name is also in the list and based on influence, any ne might get the ticket, inform sources.

Contesting for the 3^rd time

Nalin has been successful in getting the ticket for the 3^rd time. For the first time, he got the opportunity as a BJP candidate in 2009 and also got elected. He got into the arena again in 2014 and won the seat. He has remained as an MP since 2 terms and has now once again been provided with the opportunity to contest for the 3^rd time. If he wins this time too, it will be a hat-trick victory for him as an MP.

“The party elders, leaders of the Sanghatan and workers, especially PM Modi and the party’s national president Amit Shah have considered the work that I have done in 10 years and have hence provided me with the ticket for the third time. This has brought happiness and I thank them all. I have won twice wit the blessing of the people of the district. I’ll go towards the people for their blessings for the third time,” said Nalin Kumar, BJP candidate