Vijayapura: With Congress party deciding to field party veteran Prakash Hukkeri as its nominee for the June 13 Legislative Council polls from the North East Teacher’s Constituency, it is likely to be a tough competition between the two national political parties, Congress and BJP.
A six-time MLA and Former Parliamentarian and Minister Prakash Hukkeri will be contesting against BJP’s sitting MLC Arun Shahapur, who is representing the NE Teacher’s Constituency since 2010. Shahapur, who is serving his second term, is yet to be defeated in the council polls.
Two-time MLA Shahapur, who had a cake walk in two successive council polls against the opposite party candidates, will have to sweat out hard in this election to achieve a hat-trick of win and make it to the Karnataka Legislative Council.
A seasoned politician from Chikkodi, Hukkeri is a popular politician in North Karnataka. Commenting on his candidature, Shahapur termed it as a political conspiracy within the grand-old-party to end the political career of tall leader Hukkeri.
“If Congress had any respect towards political stalwart Hukkeri, they would have elected him to Rajya Sabha or nominated to the legislative council. The tall leader like him contesting against me, as I am younger to him, gives a clear message that Congress is trying to draw curtains to the political career of Hukkeri,” reiterated Shahapur.
It may also be noted that Hukkeri had lost in his previous polls, where he contested from the grand-old-party representing Chikkodi Lok Sabha segment against BJP’s Annasaheb Jolle in 2019 general elections.
When questioned whether he is anticipating a tough battle from Congress candidates, Shahapur pointed out that, “I have good rapport with all the teachers of North East Constituency, which covers Belagavi, Bagalakote and Bijapur Districts. In my two-term, I have made sincere efforts to address the qualms of the teachers’ community. I am confident that I will register a thumping victory for the third consecutive term.”
“I have kick-started preparations for this poll, the very next day of the results of my second poll. It will be the same for every politician. His every day work after getting elected will be eyeing for the win in the next term. The BJP Government has given many programmes for the teachers’ community. The voters have already decided to send me to Legislative Council for the third successive year,” confidently retorted Shahapur.
According to sources, “The sitting MLC Shahapur and Hukkeri have already launched the campaign for the June 13 Legislative Council polls at the grassroot level. Both the leaders and their supporters are frequently holding poll meetings with the voters of all the three Districts.”