BENGALURU: The Lok Sabha election campaign scene in Karnataka’s Bagalkot is heating up as a 30-year-old law graduate from the great old party takes on a Bharatiya Janata Party MP seeking a fifth consecutive term. There is.
Samyukta Patil, daughter of Agriculture and Sugar Minister Shivanand Patil in the Congress government, has crossed swords with 72-year-old PC Gadigudal, who has represented the constituency since 2004.
She says the only advice she got from her father was to stay grounded and work together in the best interests of the public she represents.
Samyukta is contesting the Lok Sabha elections for the first time and is undaunted by the challenge of facing off against a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party who is an experienced politician.
She said her agenda included overall development of the constituency, introduction of new industries, focus on tourism and, most importantly, early completion of the long-pending Bagalkot-Kudachi railway line.
She is also counting on the five-guarantee scheme launched by the Siddaramaiah-led government, which she believes will benefit the party not only in Bagalkot but in the rallies across the state.
“The focus of my campaign was on the work that our government is doing in Karnataka. , youth and farmers,” Samyukta said. P.T.I. In an interview.
Samyukta claimed that there was not enough development in Bagalkot in the last 20 years.
Citing the example of the Bagalkot-Kudachi railway project, he said that the 142 km railway project, which was sanctioned during the tenure (2010-11) of the current MP, who was first elected to the parliament in 2004, has not been sanctioned. He said no. It was completed.
“Only 37 kilometers of this railway line have been completed so there is still more than 100 kilometers of work to be done,” she said.
Bagalkot, a largely agricultural constituency, has faced two droughts so far, but sitting MPs have not expressed the concerns of those seeking compensation and have appealed to the central government for relief and assistance. Mr. Samyukta claimed that he had not done so.
She said Bagalkot has huge potential for tourism development as it has various heritage sites like Badami and others and she would like to focus on that.
Samyukta, who has worked in party organizations such as the National Students Union of India and the Mahila Congress for nearly eight years, recalled how he was elected as the president of the Junior Congress with “the highest number of votes in Karnataka”, but at the same time I also feel like. The Lok Sabha elections are a different ball game.
“With the hard work, support and guidance of all leaders, all sitting MLAs and ministers, I am very confident that the Congress party and all its staff will ensure a Congress victory in Bagalkot,” she said. said.
When asked about campaigning against someone with extensive experience, she said that around 65 per cent of Indian voters are under 40 years of age and around 50 per cent are under 25 years of age. This is the class where you will face the most challenges. ”
“Only 12 per cent of our parliamentarians are under the age of 40 and in that context, I think we need more young people to represent the needs of the young demographic that India currently has. ” she said.
On women in politics, she pointed out that although around 50 per cent of India’s population is women, there are very few women in parliament.
“Obviously, the barriers to entry for women in politics are very high, but I personally feel we need more women. “I think it helps bring women’s perspectives into policymaking, and I think it would be really helpful if we had more women in the field,” she said.
She stressed that women have proven to be better leaders, and that any woman in politics would bring a very different perspective to that of men, which in itself would make policy more gender-neutral. He said it would help him become more sensitive.
“…women are naturally carers. They naturally seek to protect their families and protect the interests of others over their own. They are better decision-makers. I think women are better at that. They’re more cautious, they’re more socially conscious.
Citing the fact that Bagalkot constituency has a higher number of women voters compared to male voters, she feels that if she wins, it will bring a welcome change in Bagalkot.
Having watched her father’s political career and the ups and downs of politics from a young age, she said that when you grow up in a “highly political environment,” you tend to learn about it and pick it up.
“…I think that some of the politics comes naturally to us because we have seen the situation before, and it helps us understand people and their problems and be considerate. It helped me build a little bit…because politics is never equal and always fluctuates…it keeps you grounded, but in the end, nothing prepares you for politics more than getting involved in it. “I don’t think there’s anything that will happen,” she said.
Regarding “dynastic politics,” Samyukta does not deny that there is an advantage in the first election, but he also emphasized that the advantage disappears after that.
“The ultimate decision-maker in politics is the people, and I think many children of politicians will not succeed in politics.The ultimate litmus test for politicians is the people’s vote, and unless they win it, I don’t think so,” she added.
issued May 3, 2024, 07:47 IST
