Battle for Mangaluru: Khader, Santosh, Ashraf field six common questions

Harsha Raj Gatty | coastaldigest.com
May 9, 2018

At the Mangaluru City Constituency, three-time Congress MLA U T Khader will be contesting once again for the Karnataka Assembly polls (May 12, 2018). This time, the Bharatiya Janatha Party has mobilized all its resources to this so called communally sensitive constituency to ensure the victory of its candidate Santosh Kumar Rai Boliyar, who was a Zilla Panchayat member. 

For two decades victory has eluded BJP in this constituency, whereas for the Congress it has been a safe-seat passing through the hands of late legislator U T Fareed to his protégé son U T Khader. Meanwhile, former Mangaluru Mayor K Ashraf, who recently quit the Congress party, is also set to give stiff contest on behalf of Janatha Dal (Secular) at the segment which has a sizable minority population. 

The three candidates speak to coastaldisgest.com on the issues in the constituency and their plans to bring development.

CD: What are the unsolved issues in the Mangaluru City Constituency? How would you address the same if you get elected?

Khader: My major plan is to resolve water shortage issue in the constituency. Though there is water, it is not sufficient. Providing uninterrupted water supply is my main goal. For this a bridge cum barrage will be built from Harekala to Adyar village at a cost of Rs. 174 crore. This will help increase water level by 6 tmc and same will be provided to people after installing pipelines. It has already been approved in the budget.

Secondly, there are many unskilled labourers in my constituency and I plan to introduce special scheme under Koushalya Bhagya so that they will be profitably employed.

My constituency has Mangalore University as well as many other colleges. I want to develop the road into an educational hub connectivity road.

Santosh: None of the issues have been solved in this constituency. Sea erosion and drinking water is still a problem for many households. The constituency lacks a government hospital, Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and a fire department. I am going to ensure that the constituency has basic centers and emergency service installations.

Ashraf: There are many problems. Sea erosion, water issues, waste management are the major woes of the residents. Also people here are upset about torture of innocents by the police. I shall look into solving each of these problems.

CD: Mangaluru City is a Muslim dominant constituency. Does it make any difference?

Khader: All are equal for me and people of all communities supported me. For several years, I have worked for the people. Ensured that State government schemes are implemented in my constituency, people have recognized my work and party ideology and I am sure they will support me.

Regarding other minority candidates contesting election, it will make the competition interesting and I like competition. I don’t bother about opposition; I only concentrate on my development work.

There is no anti-incumbency. This is the safest election both for me and the party. People have pledged their support. When I go to campaign, they tell me to go home and take rest and come back after winning the election.

Santosh: Though this is the first time I am contesting in the Karnataka Assembly Elections, I have contested local elections five times in areas with minorities and won with their support. I am known to be a leader without religious biases.

I am sure that people in this region will support me. I am not bothered if other candidates are strong or weak or belong to the minority religion. I am contesting on the basis of my capabilities, and am sure that people will vote recognizing the same.

Ashraf: I have support from Muslims and Hindus. This time the fight is between JD(S) and BJP. People are angry with Congress and are upset with Khader. All want him to lose and have pledged their support to me. Even Congress workers will vote for me.

CD: The constituency witnessed a few communal incidents. Cops are accused of arresting innocents. Will these factors have an impact on polls?
 
Khader: One such incident took place four years ago. And some trouble mongers stabbed innocent people apparently to disrupt peace in the region. But now people are living here with communal harmony. Four years ago a group clash erupted over a trivial issue. Police had arrested many people to control mob violence. I have reprised the State government about the issue. They have said that cases against innocents have been withdrawn.

As a matter of fact, the innocent people against whom the false cases were registered are now silent and are supporting me. It is others who are blaming me. They are trying to gain political mileage by highlighting this issue now.

Santosh: There is no denying that communal violence instances are common here. My main aim if elected is to ensure the peace and harmony the sitting MLA has failed to bring.

Why are many people in this constituency attacked with knives? What about the murder of Zubair, Raju Kotian and Illyas? Has the MLA succeeded in ensuring that the people behind these incidents were caught?

Only communal politics is played in this constituency with little importance to development. However, people here are educated and are able to see through things. Such tactics won’t work anymore.

Ashraf: People in this constituency are good. However, they are upset with the communal incidents that have been repeatedly reported from the region.  The duty of people’s representative is to solve the issue at the initial stage. However, the sitting MLA has failed to nip them in the bud and this has caused the issues to go on communal lines. People are seeking change and I assure that if I am elected, will not give chances for such incidents to happen here.

CD: What are your plans to transform the constituency?

Khader: Mangaluru is the best city known to impart quality education. Like I mentioned, I want to improve road infrastructure to connect the education hub over here. People need to live peacefully; hence I want to improve law and order. 

The seas in the region are rough and permanent measures are being taken to solve the sea erosion issue. After that, we can focus on developing tourism in the region.

Santosh: I have many plans but primarily I intend to permanently solve the sea erosion issue which is a huge problem to the people in the area. Regular drinking water supply, setting up a government polytechnic and a full-fledged fire department are my priories.

Ashraf: Solving sea erosion issue and setting up of women’s college are my major priorities. Development has not yet reached villages. I will concentrate that development takes place in villages at grass root level.

CD: A large number of people from your constituency are working abroad for meager salaries. What they can expect from you?

Khader: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah led government has already taken initiatives to address the problems of NRIs from Karnataka. Will have to make a NRI policy and draw some plans so that they can stand up on their own legs if they come back home. Giving jobs has to be transparent process, so it will be decided on the basis of the policy.

Santosh: I shall try to create more jobs by setting up companies. I will talk to the state and central governments to set up IT, BT companies in the areas. If the NRIs return, I shall ensure they are not short of job opportunities.

Ashraf: Our leader H D Kumaraswamy is sure to become Chief Minister of Karnataka again. He has mentioned many benefits for NRIs in his plans and I will support him and get the schemes implemented in this region.

CD: Congress veteran B Janardhana Poojary had predicted that U T Khader will be the CM of Karnataka one day?

Khader: He did not mean to say that it will happen in this election. He said that till now Karnataka did not have a Chief Minister from the minority religion and if it ever happens, it will be me.

The reason he said that is because I started my political career early and have been given important portfolios such as health and food and civil supplies. I have also been appreciated for doing well in both.

I will continue to work for my people and if they continue to support me, then maybe who knows I may become chief minister probably 25 years later.

Santosh: Khader has been elected many times, but has he used the opportunity to bring development. Why is the sea erosion issue not solved? What major change he has done? There is an anti-incumbency wave and BJP is sure to win 100 per cent in this constituency.

Ashraf: I was about to contest in Mangaluru South but came to contest from Mangaluru constituency as Khader challenged me. People are supporting me and are upset with him as he has neglected them and their issues. People feel abandoned in this constituency and they shall elect me as they are looking for change.

Comments

MR
 - 
Thursday, 10 May 2018

PLease Vote for UT kadher the other are useless. 

Greedy Ashraf I hope your JDS gets 0 vote for wasting the Muslim vote.

Ashraf’s Neighbor
 - 
Wednesday, 9 May 2018

Hahah.. Ashraf talking about development and education. What a joke. Has he given education to his own daughter?

Hurt BJP activist
 - 
Wednesday, 9 May 2018

BJP should have fielded Rahim Uchil instead of Boliar. Uchil is a familiar face and has strong support from several Thangals and clerics in the region. He could have easily defeated Khader. By fielding an unfamiliar face like Boliyar BJP has ensured its defeat. It seems that Congress funded BJP to field week candidate against Khader.

Pukar
 - 
Wednesday, 9 May 2018

BJP candidates play Hindutva cards and ditch Hindus. Similarly Ashraf plays Muslim card. He is a perfect candidate for Janata Dal (Sngh Parivar) led by Kumaraswamy, the cheddi dost of Yeddy. He doesn’t know the spelling of NRI and talking about solving of their problems. Bull shit.

 

WellWisher
 - 
Wednesday, 9 May 2018

Ashraf is with a cheap politics. During his Mayor tenure never done any development or capable. His mayor appointmmet was only eith the ground of minority Muslim. But the party selection was with wrong candidate.

If  watch /listen is his speeches, easily make out his ability , qualification ; knowledge  he his not suitable to represent MLA post.  Only becuase of greedy he jumped to JDS door step.

Every one think about Mr.Ashraf compare his with other able candidates and cast your vote for the able non communal  party and candidate.

MR
 - 
Wednesday, 9 May 2018

Last election because of SDPI  muslim votes got divided and BJP won and Congress lost because of that Muslims suffered a lot. 

Please don't vote for Ashraf. He is trying to divide the muslim votes between Congress and JDS so BJP can win.

 

Please Vote for Congress!

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Agencies
February 6,2020

Wuhan, Feb 6: Chinese multinational conglomerate holding company Tencent has allegedly published "real" data on the novel coronavirus deaths, with briefly listing death toll as 24,589 -- way too higher than over 500 deaths China has officially announced to date.

According to Taiwan News, "Tencent... seems to have inadvertently released what is potentially the actual number of infections and deaths, which were astronomically higher than official figures".

Tencent, on its webpage titled "Epidemic Situation Tracker," showed confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China as standing at 154,023 - over 10 times the official figure given to the world on February 1.

Data leaked: Tencent lists 25,000 deaths in China, 1.54 lakh infections from coronavirus
It listed the number of suspected cases as 79,808, four times the official figure.

"The number of cured cases was only 269, well below the official number that day of 300. Most ominously, the death toll listed was 24,589, vastly higher than the 300 officially listed that day".

Once people noticed this, Tencent immediately updated the numbers to reflect the government's "official" numbers.

"Netizens noticed that Tencent has on at least three occasions posted extremely high numbers, only to quickly lower them to government-approved statistics," said the report.

Some people speculated a coding problem may be behind the real "internal" data but others believe that someone is actually trying to reveal the real numbers.

Tencent was yet to officially comment on these reports.

"According to multiple sources in Wuhan, many coronavirus patients are unable to receive treatment and die outside of hospitals."

There have been multiple reports of Wuhan officials cremating deceased coronavirus victims before they could be added to the official death toll.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the coronavirus numbers coming out of China are "fishy".

If the numbers from the alleged Tencent leak are accurate, it would put coronavirus' mortality rate at almost 16 per cent. By comparison, SARS' mortality rate was 9.6 per cent, reports CCN.

Caijing, an independent magazine based in Beijing that covers societal, political, and economic issues, has also claimed that the Communist Party of China (CCP) is underreporting the extent of the coronavirus outbreak.

Caijing's article on Coronavirus that detailed how Wuhan officials are not reporting real figures was censored in China.

As of Thursday, the official death toll in China rose to 563, with 28,018 confirmed cases.

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News Network
January 15,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 15: The on-going process to select a new Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president is likely to drag on for few more days with former CM and opposition leader Siddaramaiah making a strong pitch for former minister MB Patil over DK Shivakumar for the post.

Siddaramaiah, who met AICC president Sonia Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders in New Delhi on Tuesday, reportedly argued in favour of Patil, saying his elevation would help the party win Lingayats to the fold.

“Yediyurappa, the undisputed leader of the Lingayat community, is almost at the end of his career and it is an opportunity for the Congress to gain the confidence of the community. Being a leader from North Karnataka, Patil fits the bill perfectly,” Siddaramaiah reportedly told Sonia.

Siddaramaiah is said to be backing Patil over Shivakumar as he is worried about losing his hold over the state unit, given Shivakumar’s popularity. While Sonia did give the former CM a patient hearing, she is said to have told him that he should obey and cooperate with whatever decision high command takes.

The high command is looking to evolve consensus on the new state president. “Sonia’s meeting with Siddaramaiah is part of this exercise. She wants to keep everybody in the loop,” said a functionary.

Siddaramaiah also met senior leaders Ahmed Patel and AK Anthony. He is expected to meet former AICC president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday.

However, some including Mallikarjun Kharge and Shamanur Shivashankarappa have expressed reservations against Patil’s elevation, pointing to his role in the controversial separate Lingayat religion issue which dented the Congress’ prospects in the 2018 assembly polls.

“He has a very bad name among Lingayats and making him president would prove counter-productive. Moreover, it is difficult to win back Lingayats as long as Yediyurappa is active in politics,” said a senior Congress leader.

Another functionary said a majority of state functionaries — and even some in the high command — favour Shivakumar as he is not only “resourceful”, but also has momentum. “With HD Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy losing popularity among Vokkaligas, the possibility of the community backing Shivakumar is high. This may land him the top job,” the functionary said.

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News Network
April 16,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 16: Special Investigating Team (SIT), headed by Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Sandeep Patil, subjected former underworld don turned social activist Muthappa Rai in connection with gangster and underworld don Ravi Poojary's criminal cases.

Sandeep Patil, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) said that the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Venugopal and police inspector Bulletin have questioned Rai in his house for more than two hours about Ravi Poojary case.

Muthappa Rai was allegedly one of the accused in builder Subbaraju murder case. They both were allegedly close in the initial days and they were like a team, said a senior officer. So Rai was questioned about their connection. Rai, who reformed himself many years ago, is into business and social service at present.

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