Udupi: Former IPS officer K Annamalai has called on political parties in Karnataka to move beyond poster-driven politics and focus on communicating their development work and delivering good governance across the state.
Speaking at the state-level retailers’ convention of the All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA) and its 12th anniversary celebrations in Udupi on Saturday, Annamalai said political competition should be based on the achievements of governments rather than publicity surrounding visits by political leaders.
The event was organised by the Udupi Mobile Retailers Association (UMRA) at Town Hall in Ajjarkad. Annamalai, who founded the organisation We the Leaders, said Karnataka needed a more responsible political culture in which parties competed by demonstrating their contributions to public welfare and development.
‘Politics should not be limited to poster culture’
Annamalai said political parties should move away from the practice of putting up posters announcing the arrival of the Chief Minister or a former Chief Minister. Instead, he suggested that posters should inform the public about the work undertaken by the government and the benefits delivered to the people of Udupi.
He argued that communicating measurable achievements would help citizens assess the performance of elected representatives and governments.
According to Annamalai, political competition should encourage parties to demonstrate what they have accomplished rather than concentrate primarily on publicity and the promotion of individual leaders.
He said a political system in which parties competed on the basis of development initiatives could bring about meaningful changes in governance.
Such an approach, he suggested, would also make political accountability more visible to the public, enabling citizens to evaluate governments based on their performance.
Annamalai calls for responsible politics in Karnataka
The former IPS officer said Karnataka needed a more responsible political environment, with parties placing greater emphasis on effective administration and public welfare.
He expressed concern about political competition being centred on promises of freebies aimed at securing votes, arguing that parties should instead prioritise good governance and development.
Annamalai said the state deserved better governance and called for political leaders to focus on policies and initiatives that could deliver lasting benefits to people.
His remarks highlighted the need to assess political promises not merely by their immediate electoral appeal but also by their contribution to long-term development.
He suggested that development-oriented political competition could encourage governments to improve public services, strengthen administration and respond more effectively to the needs of citizens.
‘Development should extend beyond Bengaluru’
Annamalai also emphasised the need for balanced regional development, arguing that Karnataka’s growth should not be concentrated in Bengaluru alone.
He cited Bengaluru’s contribution to the state’s economy and said districts across Karnataka should receive greater attention in development planning.
He referred to districts such as Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Gadag and Udupi while making the case for a more geographically balanced development model.
According to Annamalai, Karnataka should not remain overly dependent on Bengaluru as its principal economic engine. Instead, other regions should have opportunities to grow through investment, infrastructure development and improved governance.
He argued that development across districts would help ensure that the benefits of economic growth reached a wider section of the population.
For coastal Karnataka, including Udupi, the broader message was that regional development should be reflected in tangible improvements rather than political publicity alone.
Balanced growth key to Karnataka’s future
Annamalai’s remarks placed regional development and governance at the centre of his argument for political change. He maintained that political parties should be judged by the work they undertake and the improvements they deliver across the state.
His comments also drew attention to the differences in economic development between Bengaluru and other districts. While the capital is a major economic centre, he argued that Karnataka’s long-term progress would depend on creating opportunities across its regions.
A more balanced approach, he suggested, would allow districts with different economic strengths to contribute more effectively to the state’s overall growth.
The convention brought together mobile retailers for a state-level gathering marking AIMRA’s 12th anniversary. Alongside the industry event, Annamalai’s address raised broader questions about political accountability, the priorities of elected governments and the need to ensure that development reaches every district.
His central message was that Karnataka’s political discourse should move beyond posters and electoral promises towards measurable achievements, responsible administration and equitable regional development.