Assembly polls: Lotus blooms in Kodagu
The BJP has retained both the Virajpet and Madikeri seats in the elections to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Kodagu. While the outgoing minister Appachu Ranjan won from Madikeri constituency,
Speaker K.G. Bopaiah romped home from Virajpet constituency.
Both the BJP MLAs from Kodagu had neglected their constituencies in the initial years, but started serious work only in the last six months of their five-year term. By starting work in the eleventh hour, the two MLAs managed to hoodwink the voters into believing they had nursed their constituencies.
In all fairness to the two MLAs, it should be said they did take up several developmental activities in their constituencies, compared to their predecessors – H.D. Basavaraj (BJP) and Suma Vasanth (Congress). Basavaraj and Suma Vasanth had totally neglected Kodagu.
The people of Kodagu have reposed their confidence in the sitting MLAs this time by giving them a long rope. The opportunity should not be squandered away by the two MLAs who should work tirelessly for their constituencies in right earnest, instead of doing ‘shoddy patch work’ when the elections are round the corner.
www.coorgtourisminfo.com editor’s view: There is a feeling that Appachu Ranjan has been indulging in ‘vote bank’ politics by resorting to illegal means to woo the migrant population by encroaching on forest lands, especially the sacred groves, to put up housing colonies.
There have been instances involving Bopaiah surreptitiously working against the Kodava community and its leaders in the BJP. Bopaiah has been elected mainly due to the support of the Kodava community. He should not try to betray their trust by indulging in ‘anti-Kodava’ activities.
PRIORITIES: Both the MLAs should work towards solving two critical issues concerning Kodagu – repair of Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Virajpet Road and tackling the drinking water problem in Madikeri.
