Karnataka - Bidar   

Candidates bank on padayatras in Humnabad

Merajuddin Patel

BIDAR: Candidates for the coming Assembly elections are taking out “padayatras” and holding group meetings, as safe way to seek votes.

State unit president of Janata Dal (Secular) Merajuddin Patel on Sunday took out a padayatra at Hallikhed (B) village falling under the Humnabad Assembly Constituency in the district. Mr. Patel is contesting from Humnabad seat in the election to be held on May 22.

Hallikhed (B) is the largest gram panchayat in the State. Mr. Patel, along with supporters, began his “padayatra” seeking votes and also held group meetings of party workers. Mr. Patel won in 1994 and 2004 elections from the segment. It is said that a “triangular” fight is in the offing in the constituency, but, Mr. Patel ruled out of a “triangular” contest between Congress, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party. He said that the Janata Dal (Secular) was having direct fight with BJP in the constituency.

Speaking to The Hindu before starting the padayatra, Mr. Patel said he had covered most villages in the constituency and a few of them remained to be covered. “I am having a secular image in the constituency and people from all communities are my supporters,” he said expressing confidence of wining the election.

BJP nominee from Humnabad Subhash Kallur is also undertaking “padayatra” and conducting “group meetings” at villages falling under the constituency.

He said that he was visiting some of the villages such as Rola, Dhangarawadi and Dasarawadi for the second time, since he did not get sufficient time to speak to voters.

Mr. Kallur said: “I have reached to the bottom level and covered the remotest villages.”

He said that during the campaign, he is highlighting the performances of BJP in the State under B.S. Yeddyurappa as Deputy Chief Minister. Rajshekar Patil, Congress nominee and son for the former Minister Basavaraj Patil, is also taking out “padayatra” in the constituency to reach out to voters. Sources close to Mr. Patil said that he had covered majority of villages in the segment.

At Rajeshwar village, Mr. Patil accompanied by gram and taluk panchayat members were taking out a “padayatra.”

Bahujan Samaj Party nominee Jagannath Jamadar and five independents are also approaching people seeking votes.

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