Mangaluru: An interesting and first of a kind claim has been made by Janata Dal (Secular) – JD(S) candidate in Mangaluru Assembly constituency. Altaf Kumpala, the JD (S) candidate has drawn spotlight after claiming that he was forced to withdraw his nomination by Congress workers.
Altaf withdrew his nomination on April 21 last week without consulting JD (S) party leaders. Moreover, his phone was switched off for two days following the withdrawal making it hard for party leaders to track him.
The JD (S) party leaders including the State Spokesperson M. B. Sadashiva, Dakshina Kannada District JD (S) Youth Wing Akshith Suvarna and Altaf Kumpala conducted a press conference in Mangaluru on April 24.
In this media interaction, Altaf was seen reading from a handout given by JD (S) members. Altaf then read the handout and alleged that he was threatened and forced to withdraw his nomination by Congress party workers.
Sadashiva said, “After Altaf offered his prayers at the Ullal Masjid on April 21 which was a Friday and leaving, he was confronted by Congress workers. They forced Altaf to sign the nomination withdrawal papers and took him to the Election officer to complete the task. Altaf had to withdraw his nomination papers after this incident.”
“Altaf has been a social worker in the area and he had garnered the support of many. He is a leader who has walked with common people. He was given the JD (S) ticket after his renown was acknowledged by the party. This incident is concerning everyone in the area. Those elements that could not even face a common and ordinary worker want to lead the people of this constituency,” Sadashiva mentioned.
According to reports, Altaf’s withdrawal of nomination papers was observed by locals after a notice was put out on April 22. The locals had contacted JD (S) leaders and informed them about this development.
Sources suggest that Altaf withdrew his nomination on April 21 at 3:15 pm, after which, his phone was not reachable for two consecutive days.
This incident has rendered the JD (S) without a fighting chance in Mangaluru Assembly constituency. JD (S) leaders who visited Mangaluru to support Altaf submitted a request to relevant authorities to reconsider the nomination after it was withdrawn.
As there was no provision under law to permit the candidate to contest in elections after the nomination was withdrawn, competent authorities rejected the request. Thereby, completely eliminating JD (S) from contesting in the upcoming Assembly elections in Mangaluru constituency.
Although it is hard to believe something of this sort has happened in Mangaluru Assembly constituency, the entire truth of this incident is yet to be known.