Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023: Rajesh Naik from BJP Vs Padmaraj, Ashwin Kumar Rai from Congress in Bantawala

There are still a few months left for the Karnataka Assembly Elections. Meanwhile, the discussion about the candidates has started in Bantawala Constituency of Dakshina Kannada District. Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023: Rajesh Naik from BJP Vs Padmaraj, Ashwin Kumar Rai from Congress in Bantawala.

Rajesh Naik, sitting MLA from BJP, is sure to enter the election court again. But new names are being heard in the Congress party. Names of Padmaraj and Ashwin Kumar Rai are also prominent. The election 2023 of Bantawala assembly constituency in the coastal region is always interesting. 

Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat vs Ramanath Rai rivalry has been going on for so many years in Bantawal assembly constituency, which is said to be the Hindu powerhouse. However, there is a strong possibility that former minister B. Ramanatha Rai will lose the ticket in this election.

The Congress had also conducted the survey in 224 assembly constituencies of the state. Among these, the High Command seems to have decided to allow new faces in the Bantawala constituency. In the Bantawala Assembly Constituency, two names are heard from the Congress party in the forefront.

Padmaraj is close to Former President of Bantawala Block Congress Ashwin Kumar Rai and former Union Minister Janardhan Pujari. Ashwin Kumar Rai has worked as General Secretary of KPCC. Also, he has done good work during his tenure as Bantawala Block Congress president. Also, during his period the Congress party had recorded victory in the local bodies. Also B. Ramanath Rai was elected as MLA during Ashwin Kumar Rai’s tenure.

Ashwin Kumar Rai’s name was heard during the assembly elections in Bantawala constituency, but later Ramanath Rai won the election. Meanwhile, along with the party’s internal survey, the Congress high command has come forward to give a chance to new faces and youths. For this reason, Ashwin Kumar Rai’s name has started to be heard strongly.

KPCC President DK Shivakumar and former Chief Minister M Veerappa Moily are his back supporter. Ashwin Kumar Rai’s father has done a lot of work for the Congress party. This time Ashwin Kumar Rai is likely to be given the ticket, according to sources. On the other hand, the name of Padmaraj, who has made a name for himself as a social leader, is making noise in the Bantawala constituency.

Padmaraj, who is the treasurer of the Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwar temple, is identified in the close circle of former Union Minister Janardhan Pujari. Padmaraj, who is a lawyer, started his legal career under Janardhana Pujari. Padmaraj has also worked for the party in the Lok Sabha elections.

Also involved him in social work by building an organization Guru Beladingalu. There has also been a demand in the activists’ circle to give ticket to Padmaraj, who has the power to attract the youth towards the Congress party.

He also has a good relationship with BK Hariprasad, DK Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah.  Padmaraj has also been at the forefront of the controversy over Narayan Guru’s text. This time in Dakshina Kannada district, there has been an insistence from the Congress party to give two tickets to the Billava community. Therefore, this time Padmaraj of Billava community is said to be guaranteed a ticket.

There are no serious allegations against Rajesh Naik, who is currently MLA from Bantwal constituency. It is being heard that he worked without party affiliation. Rajesh Naik has also worked hard in organizing the BJP party in the constituency.

Also Read: Big surgery in Karnataka BJP: Ticket final for new candidates, tension for sitting MLAs

MLA Rajesh Naik, who has become a progressive agriculturist, has no replacement leader in the constituency. For this reason, Rajesh Naik from BJP is sure to enter the fray next time as well. In this way, the Bantawala Assembly Constituency has attracted everyone attention and curiosity.