Belagavi
In his first election bid, Mrinal Hebbalkar, son of Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, and Congress candidate for the Belgaum Lok Sabha segment, asserts that electioneering is not new to him. He emphasizes the significance of May 7 for democracy. Mrinal traces his interest in politics back to his mother's election campaign, which provided him with an opportunity to engage in public life. He clarifies that his decision to enter politics was based on the collective opinion of those around him, rather than personal or familial motivations.
Acknowledging the immense responsibility of aspiring to become an MP, Mrinal prioritizes ensuring accessibility to Union government schemes for the people of his constituency. He highlights the neglect of these schemes for the past 20 years due to the lethargy of MPs from Belgaum. Mrinal points out the disparity in the distribution of Janaushadhi Kendras between Belagavi and Dakshina Kannada districts, underscoring the local representative's responsibility to ensure scheme delivery. He identifies the historical lethargy of constituency MPs as a favorable factor for his candidacy, citing unfulfilled promises by previous MPs, including the failed commitments of bringing MNC companies and constructing a high-tech swimming pool.
Additionally, Mrinal emphasizes his mother's advocacy for Panchamasali reservation and participation in padayatras, aiming to garner support from all communities, not solely Panchamasalis. He criticizes past chief ministers' contributions to Belagavi, particularly noting former Chief Minister Shettar's lack of visible efforts for the constituency.