Bhatkal: Well known Bhatkali leader Mr. Inayatullah Shabandri who was nominated by JD(S) to fight for Bhatkal's MLA seat, has bowed out of the election race today. According to the sources, Mr. Shabandri announced this in a meeting at Tanzeem headquarters after its Executive members didn't back his candidature for the MLA race. 

According to sources, Mr. Shabandri had attended a meeting with Tanzeem's executive members and the political committee where a prolonged discussion was held on the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka. Sources said that Mr. Inayatullah Shabandri tried to convince the members to support him, however, after noticing that the Tanzeem members were not considering to support him, he gracefully exited the race.  The meeting was held on Wednesday morning.

Following his decision to bow out of the race, a letter was read out in the meeting, sent by Congress, asking for support in the elections. Mankal Vaidya, the current MLA who also succeeded in getting the ticket from Congress to fight the upcoming elections was invited for a talk by Tanzeem leaders. Mr. Vaidya  visited the Tanzeem HQ later the same day for a closed-door meeting with Tanzeem officials.

Sources said that Mr. Mankal Vaidya has promised total committment and vowed to work with Tanzeem for the betterment of Bhatkal taluk.

Majlis e Islah wa Tanzeem is the most influential socio-political organization in the region. Since the last several decades, it has acted as an advisor for local minorities, mainly Muslims and guided them as to whom they should support in elections. 

Sources had said that Tanzeem will invite representatives of different jamaat of Bhatkal Assembly constituency to take their opinion and then express its decision. It may be noted that apart from being a prominent political leader, Mr. Inayatullah Shabandri is the vice president in Tanzeem.

Tanzeem president Muzammil Kazia presided the meeting.