BJP, Congress & JDS Lock Horns in Kumta-Honnavar But Voters Remind of Bad Roads, No Water Supply

The Uttara Kannada region, which is a part of coastal Karnataka, is considered a BJP stronghold, where communal issues have reigned.

The region has six assembly constituencies where five are with the BJP, one with the Congress and the JDS has failed to open its account. However, this election, all eyes are on Kumta town, where the JDS is set to field Suraj Naik, a former BJP leader in Uttara Kannada district and leader of a strong Naik community, against BJP MLA Dinkar Keshav Shetty and Congress leader Nivedita Alva. Trying to leave a mark. ,

The beautiful Kumta town is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea and boasts of black cliffs, ancient temples and beaches with vast greenery.

Known for providing a comfortable feel, the city is dealing with high political temperature right now as the people of Kumta-Honnavar constituency say that there is a tough competition between the three parties. However, the close fight is going to be between Congress and JDS candidates as BJP’s Dinkar Shetty is facing anti-incumbency wave. Meanwhile, some pollsters claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s entry into the Uttara Kannada region may help the BJP MLA influence voters.

People in the town had predicted that the Congress would give ticket to former MLA Sharda Mohan, but it came as a blow when the party high command decided to go with a fresh face, Nivedita Alva, son of former Rajya Sabha member Margaret Alva. Became the governor of many states. Residents say it is not going to be easy for Alva as he is not a native of Kumta, but of Sirsi. His opponent also called it a big mistake of the Congress party.

Meanwhile, the JDS seems to have played a trick by going with Suraj Naik who was earlier in the BJP and was one of the accused in the Paresh Mesta case in 2017. However, he left the party and joined JDS in 2019, hoping to fulfill his dream of contesting party elections.

Talking to News18, Naik said, ‘I am an accused in the Paresh Mesta case, but the BJP used the case politically and won the 2018 elections. This time it will be reversed because he did not give justice to the family. Besides, the city is rich in resources, but the BJP did not utilize it well and there is a lack of development in the city.”

Meanwhile, Congress’ Nivedita Alva said: “I may not be a local of Kumta, but people recognize me from the work I have done as a party worker. The party selected me out of 14 candidates and we are working together keeping development in mind.”

BJP’s Dinkar Shetty seemed confident of winning the election as he said: “I have done a lot but it doesn’t matter what the opponents allege because my office is full of people whom I have helped. Congress And such a crowd cannot be seen in JDS offices.

While the political tussle continues, voters on the ground told News18 that bad roads, old bridges pose a threat to locals and commuters, and civic issues like no water supply in interior villages were on their minds. There is not a single multi-specialty hospital in the entire city and people are forced to travel to neighboring Udupi, Mangalore or Goa when specialized treatment is required.

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