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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News Network
July 21,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 21: Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah on Monday attacked the ruling government and said press conference of Health Minister B Siramulu was more like an exercise to hide facts than presenting proof with accurate data.

"Got to know about the press conference addressed by B Siramulu and Dr Ashwathnarayan CN to clear accusations of corruption. It looked more like an exercise to hide facts than presenting proof with accurate data," Siddaramaiah tweeted.

"It is still unclear about the points presented in the press conference. They have not answered any of my questions which were raised earlier. I will respond in detail once I receive the written explanation from the govt. Minister has claimed that both Health & Medical education department together have spent Rs323 Cr. But the data presented by them does not even add up to Rs100 Cr. What happened to the rest of the money?," asked Siddaramaiah.

He said that Centre has procured ventilators at Rs4 lakh per unit under PM Cares. But only in our state, the ventilators are procured at Rs12-Rs18 lakh per unit

"Prime Minister's Office has procured ventilators at Rs4 lakh per unit under PM Cares. But only in our state, the ventilators are procured at Rs12-Rs18 lakh per unit. Why do we see such a huge difference in price? Ministers, in the press conference, have told that quality & technological capabilities are the reasons for huge price difference. Does it mean ventilators under PM Cares lack quality? Why did they not present the technical specifications to justify the same?" he asked.

"Not just about the procurement of medical equipment, I had even asked data about food kits, PDS distribution, beds procured, quarantine centres & isolation wards. Where is the data for that?" he asked in a series of tweets. 

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News Network
January 10,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 10: Education technology company Byju’s is learnt to have raised $200 million in a funding round from Tiger Global Management, which has valued the Bengaluru-based start-up at around $8 billion, making it the third-largest unicorn (start-up valued over $1 billion) in the country.

With this, the Byju Raveendran-founded company has seen over 50 per cent jump in its valuation in just around nine months. In March 2019, Byju’s was valued $5.4 billion, when it raised around $31 million from General Atlantic, and Chinese investment giant Tencent.

At the current valuation, Byju’s has now replaced home-grown cab-hailing major Ola as the third-largest unicorn, next only to Paytm and OYO, which are valued around $16 billion and $10 billion, respectively.

Byju’s confirmed the transaction through a press statement, though the company declined to share any specific details of the deal. Tiger Global could not be immediately reached for its comments.

“We are happy to partner with a strong investor like Tiger Global Management. They share our sense of purpose and this partnership will advance our long-term vision of creating an impact by changing the way students learn,” said Raveendran. “This partnership is both a validation of the impact created by us so far and a vote of confidence for our long-term vision.”

This is Tiger Global’s first investment in the edutech space in India after Vendantu, an online tutoring platform, where it, along with WestBridge Capital, led a $42-million round in August.

An early backer of India’s internet growth story, the New York-headquartered Tiger Global has been a prolific investor in the Indian start-up space. Its portfolio in the country ranges from consumer focused e-commerce companies that are vital for the growth of the sector, such as Flipkart, Delhivery, Grofers, Quikr and PolicyBazaar, to mention a few.

After tasting success with Flipkart, one of its earliest investments, where it had pumped in around $1 billion, the PE major is now doubling down its focus on the Indian start-up space, under its new investment head Scott Shleifer.

Shleifer, who set up international private equity practice for Tiger Global, is said to be as aggressive deal maker like his predecessor Lee Fixel, who left the investment firm in March. Since then, Tiger has also invested in a host of technology-focused companies in diverse sectors including Ninjacart, CRED, NoBroker and Facilio to mention a few.

“Byju’s has emerged as the leader in the Indian education-tech sector. They are pioneering technology shaping the future of learning for millions of school students in India,” Shleifer was quoted in the press statement issued by the edutech firm.

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News Network
February 19,2020

Feb 19: Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty was once a typical billionaire with a taste for the high-life.

He splurged on a private jet, vintage cars and two entire floors of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. His website shows him hobnobbing with politicians, Bill Gates and Bollywood royalty.

“The thrill of speed and freedom makes me love cars,” Shetty, 77, told local reporters last year.

Shetty had more than enough money -- at least on paper -- to afford such a lifestyle from companies he helped found, including hospital operator NMC Health Plc and financial services firm Finablr Plc. On Dec. 10, his stakes in the public companies were valued at $2.4 billion, making up the bulk of a fortune spanning education, hospitality and one of the world’s oldest tea companies.

Then, a week later, Carson Block came along.

Block’s investment firm, Muddy Waters, issued a report criticizing NMC’s accounts and disclosing a short position. Since then, Muddy Waters’s scrutiny has snowballed into a troubling scenario for Shetty that sheds light on his complex share arrangements and casts doubts about his net worth. His holdings in Finablr and NMC are worth $885 million, but Shetty’s fortune may now be just a fraction of that, depending on the size of his borrowings.

Filings this month show that Shetty pledged a quarter of his NMC stake against loans with First Abu Dhabi Bank and Zurich-based Falcon Private Bank. Two other shareholders may own half of his reported stake. Another lender -- Al Salam Bank Bahrain -- has already sold some of those shares to enforce security over a loan for Shetty, and NMC said Tuesday that First Abu Dhabi Bank sold another chunk earlier this month.

The situation “seems to have gone beyond some of the issues that Muddy Waters focused on initially,“ said Gavin Launder, a fund manager at Legal & General Investment Management, who owned shares in NMC until October. “The increased scrutiny has unearthed other issues.”

Law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has launched a review of Shetty’s holdings at his request, a spokesperson for the Indian-born businessman said, declining to comment further until the analysis is completed. Shetty resigned Sunday as NMC’s chairman.

In its Dec. 17 report on NMC, Muddy Waters hinted at potential overpayment for assets, inflated cash balances and understated debt. Shares of the United Arab Emirates’ biggest private health-care provider have since plunged 67%, and the firm is now the focus of takeover speculation. The sell-off also spread to Finablr, whose stock has tumbled 64% in that span.

NMC has disputed Muddy Waters’s claims, and the company hired former FBI Director Louis Freeh to conduct an independent review of the short seller’s allegations. Meanwhile, local regulators “are making inquiries with the relevant parties,” a spokesperson for the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority said.

Shetty is hardly the only ultra-wealthy person to leverage his assets. Elon Musk has used his shares in Tesla Inc. to obtain personal loans, while Oracle Corp. Chairman Larry Ellison has put up millions of the company’s shares to fund a lavish lifestyle that includes trophy properties, America’s Cup teams and the Indian Wells tennis facility in California.

But such deals can also sour, as demonstrated by Shetty’s lenders selling shares his investment firm pledged. He and his advisers are investigating details of the sales as part of their legal review, according to filings.

To complicate matters, Shetty pledged another batch of NMC stock in 2018 as part of a so-called equity collar arrangement with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. that uses options to limit the impact from share moves. Last month, he also pledged most of his stake in Finablr to refinance a loan from the company’s takeover of foreign-exchange firm Travelex for about $1.2 billion.

BRS Ventures Investment, the UAE-based holding company for most of Shetty’s assets, doesn’t report consolidated financials, preventing a complete analysis of his net worth. His other assets include a catering company, a waste-management firm and pharmaceutical business Neopharma, which four months ago was in the early stages of planning for an initial public offering.

Block, 43, earned his reputation as a short seller a decade ago through targeting U.S.-listed Chinese companies that he claimed were frauds. More recently, his San Francisco-based firm focused on British litigation-finance firm Burford Capital Ltd. and Japanese biotech stock PeptiDream Inc. Short sellers seek to benefit from a decline in a company’s share price.

Shetty founded NMC in 1975 after moving to Abu Dhabi from his native India. He created Finablr two years ago to consolidate his financial brands before listing it on the London Stock Exchange in 2019.

Block said he didn’t anticipate NMC’s shareholding drama.

“I wouldn’t have been able to predict that we’d get these bizarre disclosures about unclear share ownership coming out of the company,” he said in a Feb. 13 phone interview. “This has been obviously a more dramatic unraveling than we usually see.”

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