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Pollution caused by the UPCL is an election issue

Kaup assembly constituency is the smallest assembly constituency in Udupi district and is more famous for its beach, Light House constructed by the British, serene environment, ancient forts at Manohar Ghad and Mallaru Kote and Shankarapura mallige.

The constituency comprises 29 gram panchayats and seven Zilla Panchayat constituencies.

The Congress has won eight times, including five times by Vasanth Salian. He went on to become the Minister for Fisheries also.

With the Congress deciding to field former MP Vinay kumar Sorake, Salian was embraced by the JD(S) and given the ticket. Lalaji Mendon of the BJP, who ended the Congress reign in 2004, is looking for his third term.

In the triangular contest, political pandits feel that caste factor will play a major role. Salian and Sorake are from the Billava community, who constitute a majority of the voters.

Problems

Like in other constituencies, Kaup also faces acute shortage of drinking water, sea erosion and erratic power supply. Kaup has been making more news of late for alleged pollution by thermal power plant UPCL. Farmers complain that the crops are damaged by fly ash produced by the power company.

Production of banana and Shankarapura jasmine has been hit. Fishermen claim that their catch is affected because effluents from the power plant are directly discharged into the sea.

Besides, there is silt accumulation at the Hejamady fisheries harbour and no proper drainage facilities in Kaup, Hejamady and Padubidri. Many of the gram panchayats have not witnessed any development and rural roads are in a bad shape. New projects are adding to the problems of locals.

Candidates speak

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Sorake said the Congress will encash on failure of the BJP candidate to implement development programmes in the last 10 years.

The Congress seems to think the JD (S) will not harm the party’s chances as it had not polled more than 2,000 votes in the previous elections.

“Billavas will support the Congress. Salian had joined the JD (S) without taking anyone into confidence. I am a voter in the district and I am in constant touch with people in this region,” he added, referring to allegations of him being an outsider.

Salian is confident of winning by a good margin. His argument is that the BJP has failed miserably in solving the major problems and Sorake is an outside and has very little knowledge of the constituency.

Dismissing the charges of rivals, Mendon said there is no doubt about his victory.

“I had initiated development programmes like building primary health centres, improving infrastructure and constructing schools and college buildings. The state government programmes have been effectively implemented in the constituency. The party has its own positive votes and the rivals are insignificant,” he claimed.

Besides the trio, eight independents are in the fray. They may play a crucial role in the outcome of the result.