Will Muthalik enter poll fray from coastal region?

UDUPI: Hindutva leader Pramod Muthalik seems to be facing intense pressure from Sri Rama Sene activists to contest the next Assembly election from one of the coastal districts. According to sources, he may contest as an Independent candidate.

There are 13 Assembly constituencies in undivided Dakshina Kannada and Karkala constituency may be his likely choice in the event he decides to contest the election. In such a scenario, he will be pitted against Energy Minster V Sunil Kumar.

The Karkala Assembly constituency is now BJP’s strong hold and Sunil Kumar holds sway not just by his personality, but also with his development works.

On earlier occasions, Muthalik has made his displeasure known after the BJP denied him a ticket to contest the election. Of late, he has even started to oppose the state government stand on the allegations of 40 per cent commission and the Hindutva plank.

In 2014, BJP had drafted Muthalik into the party ranks, but his primary membership was cancelled within a short period. Whether Muthalik will eventually enter the poll fray remains to be seen.