Political showdown begins in Bhatkal; CMKC announces support for Congress candidate in Uttara Kannada district

CMKC jumps the gun and pressures Bhatkal Tanzeem to support Congress party Jeddah, 1 April 2018: In a major political development for Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district, a representative body of 29 Gulf-based NRI councils has voiced support for Congress party. The decision was announced at a recent meeting of Canara Muslim Khaleej Council (CMKC) hosted in Jeddah with participation of Muslim NRI’s from the coastal Karnataka belt. “Our member associations have already voiced their support for Congress and we are reinforcing this message by sending a letter to Tanzeem,” confirmed CMKC President, Abdul Qadir Basha Ruknuddin. The decision directly puts CMKC in confrontation with Bhatkal’s premier socio-cultural organization, Majlis-e-Islah Wa Tanzeem – which has historically led the political front by strongly influencing voters in Bhatkal and surrounding areas. “We want Tanzeem to negotiate with the Congress party and strike a political alliance which can be beneficial for the community,” he added. While the council was created only two years ago with a mandate to promote social development, it now seems the nodal NRI body is making political decisions. In an effort to make themselves heard, senior officials from CMKC members are lobbying with an effort to influence voters and consolidate their vote bank. Council members noted that their ‘decision’ was taken in the best interest of the community as the current Siddaramaiah government is secular and does not lead a right-wing agenda. The CMKC meeting was hosted on March 30 at Hotel Three Point in Jeddah. (Bhatkallys News Bureau)