Udupi: There is a direct fight between Congress and BJP in the District. In the last election of 2018, the BJP won all the five seats here, and hence it is a matter of prestige for BJP, whereas it is challenge for Congress to get back like phoenix.
Congress has no strong man in the District which is the positive aspect for the BJP. But Congress has not lost the confidence and campaigning like very vigorously.
Among five seats, the BJP has introduced new face in four constituencies. It may also prove to be positive for Congress.
Karkala, the constituency of present Energy, Kannada and Cultural Minister V. Sunil Kumar, was once upon a time it a Congress bastion. In 2004, for the first time Sunil Kumar succeeded in defeating Congress hold in the constituency. But 2008 he again lost. But thereafter since 2013 he has never looked back. He gained the confidence of the party workers by his developmental works.
His opponent from Congress Udaykumar Shetty Muniyalu has no support from the senior leaders, and also it is a well-known fact that Former candidate Manjunath Bhandary was upset over missing the ticket. Therefore, he has maintained a distance from the campaign.
However, it is not yet sure how big a hurdle the Sri Rama Sene Chief Pramod Muthalik will be for BJP.
Further, JD (S), and AAP candidates seem to be only paper tigers here.
In Udupi City constituency, Yash Pal Suvarna has got ticket this time instead of three-time MLA Raghupathi Bhat from BJP. Yash Pal Suvarna belongs to Mogaveera community. Congress has also fielded Prasad Raj Kanchan from the same community.
Though Raghupathi Bhat was upset initially, later, he got himself actively involved in the campaign in the constituency. Prasadraj is a businessman and is a newbie.
Thus, both parties have fielded new faces in the constituency and it is only the time that will decide who will be the public leader in the constituency.
Congress has given ticket to Dinesh Hegde where as BJP has given chance to new face Kiran Kumar Kodgi instead of five time MLA candidate Haladi Srinivas Shetty in Kundapur. Last time BJP has won with 56,000 vote lead against Rakesh Malli, and this time we have to wait for voting and post that May 13 for results.
In Kaup, Congress has given ticket to the Former Minister Vinay Kumar Sorke and new face Suresh Shetty is contesting from BJP in the constituency. Both parties are trying hard to attract Mogaveera community votes which are very high in number in this constituency. In the midst of this Sorake has announced that it will be his last election. This may get him some sympathy votes.
Gopal Poojary who has contested seven times earlier, now is a candidate from Congress in Byndoor. BJP has denied ticket to MLA Sukumar Shetty and instead has given a ticket to Gururaj Gantihole of RSS. Gururaj Gantihole is a very simple person and this might act as a plus point for the BJP.