The Hindu : Karnataka News : Yellapur is a new constituency District profile: Uttara Kannada

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Karnataka

Yellapur is a new constituency District profile: Uttara Kannada

Govind D. Belgaumkar

The process of delimitation has done away with Ankola constituency
The district, which has six constituencies, goes to polls in the second phase on May 16

MANGALORE: The 220-MWe, indigenously designed nuclear power plant at Kaiga commissioned in March 2005 and the Indian Navy’s prestigious naval base INS Kadamba, at Karwar, have put the district of Uttara Kannada on the national map.

Though the power plant left environmentalists fuming and the naval project has fishermen and farmers still fighting for compensation, the projects have brought the district to the notice of the public.

A land of many rivers, including Kali, the district is home to tribal communities such as Siddi, Kunabi, Halakki Vokkaliga, Gonda and Gouli. Besides Yakshagana, it is also known for folk arts such as Suggikunitha, Hulivesha and Siddi dance.

The Swarnawalli Math in the Western Ghats, the Sonda Fort and the Mirjan Fort are some of the ancient monuments, while the mosque in Bhatkal is known for its intricate designs.

Polls on May 16

The district goes to the polls on May 16. It has six Assembly constituencies as was the case before the delimitation of constituencies. However, Ankola has been done away with, and a new constituency, Yellapur, has been created. The other constituencies are Haliyal, Karwar, Kumta, Bhatkal and Sirsi. While Kumta and Bhatkal remain unchanged, parts of the erstwhile Ankola constituency have been distributed among Karwar, Sirsi and the newly created Yellapur.

Delimitation has had an impact on Haliyal constituency. The former Minister R.V. Deshpande has had four consecutive victories — the last two as a Congress candidate — from this constituency. But whether the elections will be a cakewalk for him this time too remains to be seen as major parts of Mundgod and Dandeli taluks now come under Yellapur constituency. On the other hand, Joida taluk from Karwar constituency is now part of Haliyal.

The Janata Dal (Secular) has plans to field candidates in Kumta and Haliyal. Kumta taluk JD(S) president Dinakar Shetty and social activist Nagesh Naik have sought ticket to contest form Kumta, while party activist Sunil Hegde wants to contest from Haliyal.

Uttara Kannada has 9,47,713 voters (4,85,998 men and 4,61,715 women).

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