Key contenders for the Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha seat concluded their campaign after a hectic day with rallies, padayatras and meetings. They claimed that they are sure to emerge victorious.
The schedule was so tight for Aam Aadmi candidate M.R. Vasudeva that his speech in Sullia could last only three minutes before the 6 p.m. deadline (to end the public campaign) struck.
Congress candidate B. Janardhana Poojary campaigned in Chokkabettu and Krishnapura regions before signing off with a padayatra from Nehru Maidan around 4 p.m. A large number of party men took part in the march, pepped up by the beatings of drums. Mr. Poojary followed them in a pick-up truck.
Mr. Poojary said the BJP was giving a false notion of bringing Gujarat model. The model of development in Dakshina Kannada was superior to that in Gujarat. “Allow the government that promotes your model than allowing the model that destroys this,” he said. He promised to fight against Yettinahole project and Niddodi project.
BJPThe BJP held a padayatra from Gokarnanatha Temple at Kudroli to the old service bus stand at Hampankatta with party candidate Nalin Kumar Kateel addressing the gathering. Earlier, Mr. Nalin held a door-to-door campaign at Bajal and met advocates at the court complex.
CPI(M) and AAPThe candidate of the CPI(M), K. Yadava Shetty, criss-crossed the district meeting religious leaders, government workers and visits to Dalit colonies. He said, “I am confident of polling large number of votes. A lot of organisations have extended support, and our struggles will pay off.”
He started the day with a press conference in Puttur; CPI(M) leaders met Sri Esha Vittaldasa Swami of Kemar at the Palladka Math near Moodbidri, followed by a meeting with Akshara Dasoha workers in Moodbidri and then visits to Dalit colonies in Pakshikere and near Mulki.
AAP’s Mr. Vasudeva, who started the day with a road show, speeches and door-to-door visits at Ullal, went to Talapady, Mudipu, B.C. Road and held meetings in Puttur before winding up at Sullia. “The experience has been great, and I feel we will win,” he said.
