Cong gearing up for LS polls: Huge backing for Poojari this time

Cong gearing up for LS polls: Huge backing for Poojari this time

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, September 1, 2013: The Congress party which has suffered six successive defeats in Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency,  is hell bent upon wresting this prestigious constituency from the BJP at least in the next elections. The party is already preparing ground for the same even as party men are hoping that victory would be theirs  in the forthcoming elections.

Already, a team of KPCC observers  including RV Venkatesh, MLC,  Nanjayyanamutt, former MLC  and KMS Pandyan  was in Mangalore recently to elicit views of party men. Venkatesh has said that the team would be handing over to the KPCC the list of aspirants from DK constituency, by August 31.

Now that the mood in the Congress camp is upbeat following the victory in the recent Assembly elections, naturally the list of aspirants for the LS polls too is high.

As told by the observers themselves, if some aspirants wanted to contest on  their own interest, some others have said they would send a letter to the team as they are in Delhi. Many more have voiced their opinion in favour of some leaders. Though the observers have refused to divulge any name, there is information that most have recommended the name of former union minister Janardhan Poojari. Sources said including a few Veerappa Moily loyalist corporators, almost all corporators of Mangalore have backed the candidature of Janardhan Poojari. It is being said that senior Congressman Mahabala Marla  had a role to play behind ensuring that all Congress corporators backed Poojari. On the other hand  some led by former mayor K Ashraf demanded that a Muslim candidate be given a ticket this time on the grounds that no Muslim candidate has been given a chance till date.  It is learnt, the names of Kanachur Monu and former minister BA Moidin have been mentioned. On the other hand it is also said that Kanachur Monu has backed Poojari, but has appealed to leaders to give him a chance if Poojari is not chosen. Some who favoured a new comer have even recommended the name of Vijaynath Vittal Shetty.

Observor Venkatesh says the party leadership would  decide on the candidate after duly considering the opinion of all party men. Interestingly, except for Mangalore North MLA Moidin Bava none of the MLAs have  expressed their views. DK District in-charge Minister Ramanatha Rai was present at the meeting in his capacity as District congress Chief while KPCC Secretary Ivan D’Souza and AICC Member PV Mohan have maintained silence.

Massive Support for Poojari: The general observation is that senior Congress leader B Janardhan Poojari is the most favoured candidate who has won much support. Even Moily loyalist Corporators have backed his candidature particularly after Moily has reportedly made it clear that he would not come in Poojari’s way this time.Even the Billawa community is united  in supporting Poojari this time. Yet another noteworthy aspect is that the entire Congress bandwagon is  ready to  back Poojari  who has an unblemished political track record spanning five decades.

For the first time in the past three decades, Poojari is sure to emerge as a strong contender for a party ticket from the prestigious constituency without much opposition from within the party. The party’s victory in the civic body and Assembly elections under his leadership, has been an added advantage. Poojari supporters strongly feel that Poojari would this time give a befitting reply to all  his political opponents by winning the elections.