BJP determined to hold its bastion of coastal Karnataka

Coastal Karnataka, the hub of religious politics of the southern state, was a joyride for the BJP in 2018 with the party winning 16 out of the 19 seats in the Uttara Kannada, Dakshin Kannada and Udupi districts. Out of the 13 seats in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, the BJP had won 12, with the Congress winning in Mangalore.

The hijab and halal row, which became a national talking point, originated from the Udupi district and this defines the high religious sentiments in the coastal region. The BJP has denied tickets to six of its 16 sitting MLAs in coastal Karnataka, the highest in comparison to other regions. The BJP’s confidence stems from the ground support it has been getting and the party wants to beat the anti-incumbency factor against sitting MLAs.

The region has a sizable population of Saraswat Brahmins (and they proudly announce their caste in conversations) and a fisherman community called Mogaveera. It is this combination which works for the BJP.


Sri Rama Sene leader Pramod Muthalik is contesting as an independent from Karkal in Udupi. Muthalik’s candidature has divided a section of voters in Karkal. “I vote for the BJP but this time I am willing to vote Pramod Muthalik,” 28-year-old fruit-seller Girish Nayak in Hebri, Karkal, told ET. There are a few like him who are willing to vote for Muthalik saying they were unhappy with the current MLA and BJP candidate Sunil Kumar and as they would not vote for the Congress.

“But this will not impact much. Muthalik will get a few thousand votes and we all are voting for the BJP,” said Ragesh Shetty from village Bailoor.

Since 2004, the BJP has not only been winning the seat, but has also been getting more than 50% votes in the assembly elections.

In the Udupi assembly seat, the BJP has denied ticket to sitting MLA Raghupati Bhat and has put its bet on Yashpal Suvarna. Suvarna is the leading face of the anti-Hijab movement and BJP believes his popularity will help the party win. Also, some people here complain about sitting MLA Bhat. “He hasn’t done enough work. I don’t know much about the new candidate. But my vote is for Modi ji as the country is secure under his leadership,” said Sathyanarayana in Manipal.

There are some angry lots too. Forty-eight-year-old Rajesh runs a cobbler shop next to a medical college in Manipal. His wife works in the hospital. “Whoever comes to power, nothing changes for us. Last time I voted for the BJP. This time I will try the Congress,” he told ET.

Congress candidate P Kanchan is contesting for the first time. His father and mother were both Congress leaders. The BJP has fielded Suresh Shetty, a new candidate, at Kapu, seat denying its ticket to Lalji Mendon. Mendon is campaigning for party candidates in the region. The Congress has fielded former MLA Vinaya Sorake once again.

The BJP looks comfortable in several other seats also in the coastal belt. However, the Congress bets on its past performance and anti-incumbency. In 2013, it had won 13 out the 19 seats in the region and perhaps that gives the party the belief that it can turn the tide in coastal Karnataka. But in 2013, Yeddyurappa was not with the BJP and his own party, the KJP, was responsible for the defeat of the BJP in several seats. Congress leaders are also careful in making statements and are trying to focus on the problems of the region to prevent voter polarisation on religious lines.