Notwithstanding consecutive wins from Ullal, people’s representative has failed his subjects, alleges CPI (M)

Party claims that present-day elections were being swayed by money power with commercial interests taking the lead.

A people’s representative of Ullal, who has been winning elections repeatedly, has failed his own subjects with the region not witnessing any development over the years, Communist Party of India (Marxist) Dakshina Kannada leader Santosh Bajal has alleged.

Ullal should have witnessed massive development given its historical background. Instead, people’s survival itself is at stake, Mr. Bajal said at Thokkottu near Mangaluru on April 23 during the winding up of the two-day vehicle jatha to promote the people’s convention to be organised at Deralakatte by the party. CPI (M) Ullal and Mudipu divisions are organising the convention on April 29 to demand all-round development of the newly-formed Ullal taluk.

Mr. Bajal said CPI (M) leader Krishna Shetty, who was elected as Ullal MLA in 1962, fought for the rights of tenants and got farm lands for poor farmers. Ramachandra Rao Master, who was elected in 1983 from CPI (M) as Ullal MLA, introduced several pro-people reforms. However, the present-day elections were being swayed by money power with commercial interests taking the lead, he said.

Yet, the CPI (M) would not be on the back foot and continue to fight for the rights of people, including education, employment, healthcare and housing, he said urging people of the taluk to support the initiatives.

In his introductory address, CPI (M) Ullal division secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal said the jatha held meetings at 28 places in the last two days. None of the basic amenities that need to be available in a taluk headquarters were not available in Ullal, he said.

CPI (M) leaders J. Balakrishna Shetty, Sukumar, Jayanthi Shetty, and Shekhar Kundar were among those present.