Both BJP and Congress gave priority only for young candidates in all the seats in the district. Those senior leaders were given addition responsibility of building the party, instead of contesting in elections. A majority of candidates supported by BJP as well as Congress are youngsters. About 80 per cent of the BJP supported candidates are newcomers. Though there is no fight based on political ground, all parties are vying each other to establish their upper hand in GPs.
A majority of candidates in Udupi taluk are educated that advocates and graduates too eye on GP membership. In the list of BJP supported candidates, 30 per cent are graduates and nearly 60 per cent have PUC qualification.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, BJP District President Udaya Kumar Shetty said, “we did not support those incapable members, who were elected with BJP support in the previous elections. Nearly 80 per cent of our candidates are newcomers,” he said adding that senior leaders were asked to support young candidates.
“There will be more enthusiasm in young candidates. They will work for the development of the GP with all vigour. Moreover, they will have knowledge on government schemes too. Hence, they will be capable of reaching all schemes to the doorsteps of the poor,” Shetty explained. The BJP will organise training camps for elected members after the election, he added.
DCC President M A Gafoor said that voters too like to see young faces in GPs. Hence, the Congress has decided to support new faces in the election. The Party also aims at bringing up young politicians in GP level, he added.
He said that about 70 per cent of the Congress supported candidates are youngsters and educated. Those senior leaders were given opportunity only in such places, where there is reservation exists, he added. The turnout in previous GP election in the district was between 50 and 75 percentage. Nearly 20 per cent of the GPs had recorded below 50 per cent turnout.
