In Moodabidri, the race to state polls in 2018 is clearly between the BJP and the Congress. Although until 1999, the JD(s) leaders could vouch of ensuring victory, the party’s positioning today in the constituency is quite fragile.
Located about 35Kms ‘East’ (Moodu or Moodai in Tulu) from the district capital and famed for its Bamboo (Bidiru) plant- Moodabidri has never shied away from voicing its opinion against anti-incumbency. Subsequently, the ‘Jain Kashi’ gave its platform to any candidate who appealed to the constituents’ wisdom with a plan or idea.
It was at this outset that several parties, both now in continuance or defunct laid their claim to power from Moodabidri. In 1962 and 1967 the constituency polled for the Swatantra party, INC was elected in 1972, 1989, 1999 to 2013, Janatha Party (1983 and 1985), and a term each for JD(S) (1994) and INC (I) (1978). Except BJP and the CPI, every other candidate of every prominent national party has seen power from this constituency.
Moodabidri that has been recently declared taluk is divided into 23 wards. As per the 2011 census, men constitute 48.90% of the population, whereas women are 51.09%. The average literacy rate of Moodabidri is 91.85%, which is much higher than state average of 75.36%. While Male literacy rate is 95.36% the female literacy stands at 88.50%.
The 2013 assembly elections saw altogether 1,28,808 people cast their polls from this constituency. Of the total turnout of 74.22 percent: INC received 41.29 percent vote, BJP got 37.75 Percent, JD(s) candidate secured 15.89 percent, the new entrant SDPI secured 2.74 percent and the Independent candidates were favored a little over a percentage each.
Although, the region’s four-time legislator K Abhayachandra Jain carried on his victory streak for the Congress party in 2013, the poll analysts were quick to point out the dipping victory margin of the veteran leader. In comparison to the 2008 polls wherein Abhayachandra lead by a margin of 9903 votes against second runner-up BJP, the gap fell short by 46 percent (4550) in 2013. The sinking popularity of the MLA is an open discussion both in his constituency as well as among his own party workers.
From reportedly involving in a public-spat with his constituents, to allegedly threatening a scribe, anti-incumbency, high-handedness and to the internal dispute within the Congress party for the 2018 polls tickets is taking its own toll on the septuagenarian leader.
Locals and members of the opposition have leveled several allegations against the performance of both party and the leader in the last five years that raises question on his bankability to the Congress party.
Also, the investigation in connection with the murder of Bajrang Dal activist Prashanth Poojary in 2015, the BJP lead a sharp attack against the probe by the Congress led state government and also dragged Abhayachandra Jain’s name for acting slack, and giving inconsistent statements. “The entire probe was shoddily handled. Being the sitting MLA and also a former minister in the state cabinet he should have expedited the investigation but he failed. Instead, he leveled baseless allegations against the deceased, his family and their financial background, while the actual perpetrators went scot-free. It was a clear case of the legislator colluding to protect few vested interest,” BJP leader Umanath Kotian says.
Former strongman of constituency and three times JD(S) MLA of Moodabidri Amaranatha Shetty K was of the opinion that the current legislator did not bring any major infrastructure or development to the taluk, instead the 70-year old Congress MLA was riding on his predecessors’ achievements. “Yes, Abhayachandra may claim credit for setting up sports stadium in Moodabidri. But this government cannot take away the whole credit for getting taluk status, since it was our hard work and toil that led to this. Infact when Udupi was declared as a district and not Moodabidri, I placed my resignation in protest,” he said.
The localities of Moodabidri while shying away from answering pre-poll queries citing that it was too early to caste opinion said that given the tenure of the MLA, a lot more could have been achieved. “We still have unfinished and poorly constructed roads, drinking water is always an issue, and in some areas the drainage works are incomplete. The government hospital at Moodabidri is overburdened, whereas at Shirthady the hospital is only for namesake. In this backdrop how can a legislator claim that he has fulfilled his responsibilities,” a local resident, requesting anonymity said.
However, people’s criticism and opposition’s allegation set aside, this time the major setback for the sitting MLA’s claim to power would be from his own party men. Congress leader and MLC Ivan Dsouza, along with another leader District Youth Congress President (DK), Mithun Rai have announced that they too were interested to contest from Moodabidri.
What triggered this internal race to the seat is a disclosure of a casual conversation between MLA Abahayachandra and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in which the former apparently confided to the CM of his unwillingness to contest the 2018 polls and would rather give it up for the occupant of District Youth Congress President. As the word got out, District Youth Congress President Mithun Rai (former confidant of Ivan Dsouza) jumped into the poll fray and announced his acceptance of the offer. However on the other hand, MLC Ivan D’souza made claim to the same post that has led to factionalism within the Congress party.
Speaking to newskarnataka. Com, Ivan D’souza said that he has already set-up a party office at Moodabidri and for the past eight-months he has been campaigning. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has asked me to continue my work in Moodabidri. I have been reaching out to people at booth level and understanding their problems. The region has a substantial Christian members, I have a sound relation with the Muslims and other communities as well. Being a winnable candidate, I would surely go to polls,” he said placing the ‘community’ card.
On being asked if his campaign against the ‘Sitting- MLA’ would hurt the party’s interest and split the votes, D’Souza dismissed calling it only a ‘perception’. “The local party workers have welcomed my tentative candidacy. While the incumbent MLA can decide if he wants to contest or not, he cannot decide whom the party should setup as a candidate and succeed him, this is upto the Congress. Moreover he (Abhayachandra) is himself not confident of getting through the polls, so why can’t I apply when there is an opening,” Ivan said.
Ripping through the debate that he will give up on his constituency, MLA Abhayachandra Jain said that his earlier statement was misread and misinterpreted by vested interests. “I am youth Congress man. I only told the CM that if the party wants to accommodate District Youth Congress President within the political domain, I would willingly give-up my seat – as goodwill or my tribute to Congress that has given me so much. But ‘anyone’ cannot lay claim on my seat and expect me to quit. I have served for 20 years,” he said.
Continuing his tirade against Ivan Dsouza, Jain said that D’souza has just been elevated to the post of an MLC; he should serve that first and prove his worthiness. “Let him (Ivan) claim what he wants. It’s not like am giving up my seat for my son or community member, but for the overall good of the party and society,” he said.
Jain further candidly admitted that he lost his cool at certain occasion but it was only when someone put-up a quarrel. Against his detractor’s comment, Abhayachandra listed out his achievements of improving roads and setting-up vented dams to meet the water woes of the region. “Though we were not a Taluk, I appointed Special Tehsildhar at Mulky and Moodabidri 15-years ago, and also a court was setup at Moodabidri despite not being a Taluk,” he claimed, while confirming his candidacy.
Meanwhile , sources suggest that BJP has about 13 aspirants eying from the constituency, whereas despite expressing reluctance JD(S) is likely push Amaranatha Shetty to contest polls on its behest.
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