Rajya Sabha Election: Coastal Karnataka’s Naveen D’Souza and Nivedith Alva in Ticket Race
This time, under the Christian minority category, a tight competition is brewing between Naveen D’Souza and Nivedith
Bengaluru: Out of the three Rajya Sabha seats that the Congress party is poised to win, one seat is highly likely to be allocated to the Christian minority community. In the previous term, one seat was given to the Muslim minority.
This time, under the Christian minority category, a tight competition is brewing between Naveen D’Souza, a senior former corporator from Mangaluru, and Nivedith Alva, who previously contested as the Congress candidate from the Kumta assembly constituency.
Three Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka are set to become vacant next month. Among these, it is almost guaranteed that one seat will once again go to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) President, Mallikarjun Kharge. While the Muslim minority community secured a seat last time, top party sources indicate that the opportunity will be given to the Christian minority this time around.
Why Naveen D’Souza is a Strong Contender:
Sources within the Congress party suggest that this position might go to a loyal party worker from Dakshina Kannada, a district with the highest concentration of the Christian population in Karnataka.
Among the contenders, the name of Naveen D’Souza is at the forefront. He has efficiently handled various responsibilities within the Congress party and has a proven track record as a senior corporator.
Furthermore, his recent political work during the Kerala elections reportedly caught the attention of the party high command. Known for executing his assigned duties meticulously without craving publicity, top sources reveal that the party leaders is seriously considering sending him to the Rajya Sabha based on these credentials.
Nivedith Alva’s Political Background:
On the other hand, Nivedith Alva had previously contested the assembly elections from the Kumta constituency as a Congress candidate but faced defeat. He is the son of veteran Congress leader Margaret Alva. In the past, he also served as the Chairman of the Coastal Development Authority.
With reports suggesting that the party is prioritizing younger faces this time, both Naveen D’Souza and Nivedith Alva have emerged as the frontrunners. Curiosity is also building over who will secure the remaining seat. With its current strength in the Legislative Assembly, the Congress party has the clear numbers to easily win three Rajya Sabha seats on its own.
According to the Election Commission, the Rajya Sabha elections are scheduled to take place on June 18. The last date for filing nominations is June 8, followed by the scrutiny of nomination papers on June 9.
