Bhatkal: A series of meetings in Bengaluru involving former Bhatkal-Honnavar MLA and Karnataka minister R.N. Naik, his son Advocate Vikram Naik, and senior Congress leaders has fuelled speculation that the younger Naik may seek the party’s ticket to contest the next Assembly elections from the constituency.

R.N. Naik and his son have met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and several other senior Congress leaders. The meetings have drawn political attention in Uttara Kannada district, with Vikram Naik’s possible electoral ambitions emerging as a subject of discussion.

R.N. Naik recently met Shivakumar at ‘Krishna’, the Chief Minister’s official residence and office in Bengaluru. During the meeting, they reportedly recalled their longstanding association dating back to the tenure of former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa. Shivakumar also introduced R.N. Naik to Minister Priyank Kharge and other ministers and MLAs present, referring to their long association.

R.N. Naik, accompanied by his son, also met Siddaramaiah to discuss the political situation at the national and state levels. A subsequent meeting at the former Chief Minister’s residence reportedly focused on political developments in Uttara Kannada district.

The former MLA also met senior Congress leaders, including former minister Mahadevappa, Basavaraj Rayareddy and former Chief Minister Veerappa Moily, and introduced his son to them.

Vikram Naik has reportedly met several senior political leaders in recent months, including Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Madhu Bangarappa, U.T. Khader, Legislative Council Chairman Saleem Ahmed, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president B.K. Hariprasad and R.V. Deshpande. These meetings have added to speculation that he may seek the Congress nomination from the Bhatkal-Honnavar constituency.

R.N. Naik has been elected MLA from the Bhatkal-Honnavar Assembly constituency three times. He served as Minister for Information and Kannada and Culture in the Cabinet during Veerappa Moily’s tenure as Chief Minister. Known for his outspoken style, he was a close associate of former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa and has longstanding connections with Congress leaders at the state and national levels.

Vikram Naik, a practising advocate, is also active in social work. He heads the Brahma Shri Narayana Guru Backward Classes Forum and organises programmes in association with various organisations. He has also been involved in raising public issues and working towards their resolution, with activities spanning Bhatkal and Honnavar.

Speaking to SahilOnline over the phone, Vikram Naik said he would be willing to contest from Bhatkal-Honnavar in the next Assembly elections if he received the support of the constituency’s voters and a green signal from the Congress party. He said both the party’s backing and public support would be essential for him to enter the electoral contest.

His statement, coupled with R.N. Naik’s recent meetings with senior Congress leaders, has intensified discussion in the constituency over possible contenders for the Congress ticket ahead of the next Assembly elections.