Bhatkal: The Bhatkal-Honnavar constituency in Uttara Kannada district, will witness direct contest between BJP and Congress candidates as the JD(S) candidate withdrew from the contest at the last moment.
The Hindutva, nationalism, and the development initiatives undertaken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reign at the Centre would be the key elements on which BJP candidate Sunil Naik would be banking upon.
On the other hand, the development works undertaken during his term and pro-people programmes and schemes implemented by Siddaramaiah government would be the main issues for Congress candidate Mankal Vaidya.
For Sunil Naik, who belongs to Namadhari community, this is the first election, for Vaidya, who belongs to Mogera community, this is the second election.
Vaidya had defeated his nearest rival Inayathullah Shabandri of JD(S) by 9,484 votes in the 2013 elections. He had launched his campaign in the constituency well before the Congress party had made the names of the candidates public as he was sure that he would be given the ticket to seek re-election.
AICC President Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and several of his Cabinet colleagues had attended an election rally held in Bhatkal on April 26 and had sought votes on his behalf, giving him a much-needed morale boost.
Sanualla Gavai, a resident of Bhatkal stated that he had not voted for Vaidya as he had contested as an independent candidate.”It is important to vote for him this time due to the development works carried out by him, and because he did not discriminate against us,” he said. However, local politician differs from this view. He says jobs have not been created for youths, health facilities have not been provided, and the opportunities available for tourism development have not been exploited.”
Social activist from Gundibail, in Honnavar taluk, Subramanya N Bhat Achekeri said Vaidya has done good work, and on occasions, had even extended personal assistance to the people. But, Sunil is in a strong position as there is no powerful candidate against him.