Udupi set to face straight fight

Udupi, May 9 (UNI) The Udupi district with many famous temples and churches, which has been reduced to five Assembly Constituencies after the delimitation process is all set to witness a straight fight at least in Karkala.

A triangular contest in Udupi, four-corner contest in Kundapura and multi-corner contest in the remaining two Constituencies - Kaup and Byndoor - is likely to be witnessed. Though there are BSP, JD(S) and SP candidates in most of the Constituencies in the district, the real fight would be between the Congress and the BJP.

Mr Vasanth V Salian, the four-time winner and former Minister, who lost to Mr Lalaji Mendon (BJP) in the 2004 election will be contesting from the Kaup Constituency against Mr Mendon.

Former Minister and a three-time winner (first term on Janata Dal ticket and then as an independent) K Jayaprakash Hegde has now shifted to the Kundapura Constituency after his winning battle field Bramhavar Constituency merged with Udupi and Kundapura. Now he is contesting on a Congress ticket against his own relative and 'Ajathashatru' Halady Srinivasa Shetty (BJP) who had represented the Constituency in the last two terms by defeating his nearest congress rival.

For the first time in the history of the district, a film actor Gururaja Bhat, alias Surya, has entered the election fray in the Kaup Constituency as an Independent, where former Minister Mr Salian and former BJP MLA Lalaji Mendon are contesting.

UNI MA SIV KD AS1835