Elections in Coastal Karnataka

Coastal Karnataka

Overview

Coastal Karnataka comprises of present day Dakshina Kannada, Udupi Kannada, and Uttara Kannada regions of Karnataka. The hardline right-wing politics has been the norm for the region since 1990s. BJP made significant inroads in the Coastal Karnataka with the help of Sangh Parivar and other right-wing fringe groups. The region was part of the Mysore Kingdom before ceding to the British India.

Historical Background

After Peshwa Territories annexation, the Uttara Kannada was part of Kanara region, which became a part of the Madras Presidency till 1862, before being transferred to Bombay Presidency, while South Kanara (Dakshina Kannada region) remained a part Madras Presidency. In 1956, the region along with four other regions of the erstwhile British India formed the state of Mysore, that was renamed to Karnataka in 1973. Coastal Karnataka has been an epicenter for trade and market even before India's independence. The coastal region of present-day Karnataka state has seen various merchants and traders travel across from the globe to get hold of some of the best spices during the medieval period. The accessibility to the coastal region made it a cultural hub for centuries, the region reflects the multiculturalism that formed the basis of prosperity in the region. Till date, agriculture and fishing remains to be the economic lifeline of the region for the population of Coastal Karnataka. Mogaveera, Billawa, Kharvi, Kotesherigara, Bunta, Siddi, Halakkigouda, Vakkaliga, and Devadiga, are some of the major backward communities in the region that constitute the majority in the region. While minority Christians, Muslims, upper caste, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes form the remaining social strata of the Coastal Karnataka region. Syndicate Bank, Canara Bank, Corporation Bank and Vijaya Bank are four public sector commercial banks that have originated as a part of development of co-operative finance system in Coastal Karnataka. While one of the popular and growing scheduled bank, Karnataka Bank also originated from the region.

Political Scenario

Coastal Karnataka's social strata is a mix of different cultures and religions that have ceased the opportunity at the right time to influence the people in the region. Time and again different religions have had the opportunity to dominate political scenario of Coastal Karnataka, with a large Catholic vote base joining forces with the Hindu communities in the region to stand against one common enemy in Muslims. Politicians have used the complex social structure to reap the benefits during the election season, appeasement politics plays a major role in swinging tide for and against the political parties. Hindutva politics came to dominate the political scenes in the region since 1990s, while the Sangh existed in Coastal Karnataka since the 1940s, opening up Shakas and mobilising fringe groups to appease the public. Coastal Karnataka is one of the BJPs stronghold regions in the state of Karnataka, where Hindutva politics remains an influential political issue. Last state assembly elections saw Congress turn the tide against BJP in Coastal Karnataka by claiming 14 seats out of the 19 seats available in the region. BJP this time has called in hardcore Hindutva politicians such as Anant Kumar Hegde, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Shobha Karndlaje to appease the voters on strong Hindutva lines. On the hand, Congress party is trying to influence the 2 lakh NRIs from the region, while trying to maintain their grip in Coastal Karnataka from the previous state assembly elections.

Issues pertaining to the region

Communal violence that formed the basis for political parties to take advantage of the divided population in the region, till date remains one of the pertinent issues in the region. While unemployment amongst youth is another issue, both Congress and BJP would be looking to as an issue to appease the youth.

Assembly Constituencies and MLAs from Coastal Karnataka Region

AC. No.	Constituency	Current MLA	Party
76	Haliyal	Deshpande Raghunath Vishwanathrao	INC
77	Karwar	Sateesh Sail Krishna	IND
78	Kumta	Sharada Mohana Shetty	INC
79	Bhatkal	Mankala Subba Vaidya	IND
80	Sirsi	Visweswara Heggade Kageri	BJP
81	Yellapur	Arbail Shivaram Hebbar	INC
118	Byndoor	K. Gopal Poojary	INC
119	Kundapura	Vacant
120	Udupi	Pramod Madhwaraj	INC
121	Kapu	Vinayakumar Sorake	INC
122	Karkal	V. Sunil Kumar	BJP
200	Belthangady	K. Vasantha Bangera	INC
201	Moodabidri	K. Abhayachandra	INC
202	Mangalore City North	B. A. Mohiuddin Bava	INC
203	Mangalore City South	J. R. Lobo	INC
204	Mangalore	U. T. Khadar	INC
205	Bantval	B. Ramanath Rai	INC
206	Puttur	Shakuntala T. Shetty	INC
207	Sullia	S. Angara	BJP
208	Madikeri	M. P. Appachu Ranjan	BJP
209	Virajpet	K. G. Bopaiah	BJP