SDPI candidate files papers, JD(S) backs

Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) candidate for Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency Mohammad Haneef Khan filed his nomination with the Returning Officer on Tuesday.

He was accompanied by SDPI State President Majid Kodlipet, SDPI leader Mohammad Kunhi, JD(S) Udupi District President Deviprasad Shetty and JD(S) leader M B Sadashiv and Sushil Noronha. 

The SDPI members carried out a procession from Jyothi Circle which culminated at Town Hall where a convention was organised to mark the nomination filing of its candidate. 

Speaking to mediapersons after filing the nomination, Haneef Khan said that the party’s main motive was to overthrow corruption and communalism in the district and to work for labour class who have been neglected by the ruling political parties.

“All the parties including the Congress only fake when they speak of secularism. But, the JD(S) has shown real secularism, due to which the SDPI has entered into an alliance with the JD(S),” he said. 

He brushed aside the ‘alliance’ with the JD(S) as for as the issue of Yettinahole diversion is concerned. “SDPI strongly opposes the project and we will fight for the cause,” he said.

Addressing the party workers’ convention at Town Hall, he accused the Congress of helping the growth of the BJP as a communal party. “SDPI is a secular party and we do not need anybody’s certificate,” he said.

SDPI State President Abdul Majid Kodlipet expressed confidence of the third front led by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda playing the decisive role after the Lok Sabha election.

“There is no Modi wave in the country. The JD(S) will win 10-12 seats in the State. The SDPI will support the JD(S) in 27 constituencies, while the JD(S) has extended its support to us in DK,” he said.