Bagalakote: With only a few months left for the Assembly elections in the State and various political parties are already making preparations to face big political battle, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has joined the fray as it has made plans to contest in at least three Assembly segments from Bagalakote District.
SPDI had limited its activities to Mysuru City, Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada and Kalaburagi. Now, the party has become active in Jamakhandi, Terdal, Rabkavi-Banahatti and other parts of Bagalakote. Though party activities were low these years but since the Hijab and Saffron row, the members of the party have turned hyper active in the region.
According to sources, “The members of the party are consolidating their votes in the District by targeting minorities and few backward class communities.”
Admitting that the party is gearing up to contest in forthcoming Assembly polls, Saleem Awati, District President of SDPI, said, “The party is already working at grassroot level to strengthen its base in the region. It is hundred percent that we will be contesting in at least three Assembly segments in the 2023 Assembly polls.”
“At present the party is planning to field candidates in Jamakhandi, Terdal and Hungund Assembly segments. The party leaders are yet to discuss contesting in the remaining constituencies in the District. We have already shortlisted the candidates and a proposal has been sent to the party high command,” added Saleem.
When asked whether party is targeting eyeing only on Muslim dominant constituencies, Saleem said that, “SDPI does not belong to any one religion. We have already received overwhelming response from Dalits, Christians and other minorities and backward class communities. The party’s aim is to fight for the people’s right instead of the agenda of a particular religion.”
“Many party workers from Congress have also joined SDPI, recently. In the coming days the party will gain more popularity and strength in this region. We are confident that the party will register a thumping victory in at least one of the Assembly segments in the District,” Saleem expressed confidence.
Meanwhile, the political commentators claim that, “If SDPI strengthens its base in the region, it will be a big threat for Congress. Wherever SDPI fields its candidates it will hurt the vote bank of Congress. A section of Muslims is also unhappy with the grand-old-party towards its approach in the Hijab and other issues connected to the community. However, BJP will not have any kind of impact as it has its own vote bank in the District.”
