It was an election full of surprises from the beginning in Mangalore.

It was a surprise when reigning MP of Mangalore Sadananda Gowda decided to run to Udupi to contest Lok Sabha elections. It was a surprise when BJP announced that they will field a relatively unknown Nalin Kumar Katil against the local behemoth Janardhan Poojary.

All these signs plus some of the ugly incidents that involved the right wing in Mangalore gave a distinct impression that BJP is a party in desperation, with projected miserable performance.

The biggest surprise of all happened yesterday (May 16) when it was announced that Nalin Katil has won over Janardhan Poojary with a stunning margin of 40,420 votes!

Now that’s something most of Mangaloreans did not expect. I suspect even Nalin Katil himself did not foresee such a huge margin. This goes to show that individuals are not exactly bigger than the party in Mangalore.

It was the party the people voted for, it will be a mistake to assume that it was Nalin Katil’s charisma or whatever that won him the election. Mangalore and Udupi have always been the stronghold of BJP and right wing for sometime and the trend continued this elections as well.

Even though not as stunning and striking as Nalin’s victory, the triumph of SadanandaGowda of BJP in Udupi was also a mild surprise. There was a genuine feeling that his opponent, Jayaprakash Hegde of Congress, would give Gowda a run for his money and actually has a chance to win. Again the voters have voiced their choice for a party not an individual.

Another surprise is that the recent ugly incidents that were perpetuated by the right wing have not had any significant negative impact on the voters. On the contrary the voters have come forward in droves to voice their opinion through votes. We should not forget DK has one of the highest voter turnout percentages in the country (72% turnout this year)

Final analysis: Right wing still rules and party is bigger than any individual in undivided South Canara.

Anyways, I wish Nalin Katil and Sadananda Gowda a very fruitful term and hope that the development of the districts continue unabbetted. Mangalore-Blore roads, Surathkal-Mlore roads etc etc., Nalin has a long day ahead in his office. ALL THE BEST!!