Mangaluru
Satyajit Surathkal, leader of a Hindu organization and advocate for the Billava community, had sought the BJP ticket for the Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency. However, he has now declared his support for Congress in Dakshina Kannada and Shimoga constituencies, and for BJP in Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency. Surathkal, the President of Shri Narayanguru Forum, had previously attempted to secure a BJP ticket in 2019 but was unsuccessful.
During a press conference on Tuesday, he emphasized his backing for Billava candidates in three Lok Sabha constituencies from Shri Narayanaguru’s forum. He expressed concern over BJP’s choice of Kota Srinivasa Pujari, stating it was unfair to the Billava Samaj community. Surathkal urged the society to rally behind Padmaraj in DK district, Kota Srinivasa Pujari in Udupi, and Geeta Shivaraj Kumar in Shivamogga, regardless of party affiliations. He criticized the state’s political landscape, asserting the dominance of certain individuals and parties over others. Surathkal highlighted the absence of BJP in Karnataka and commented on the shift in political alliances.
