Wrestling fans would find many similarities between reigning  WWE champion Randy Orton and Mangalore’s own Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Orton, a multiple times WWE champion, is touted as the ‘legend killer’ having made his way to the top by taking on and defeating many legends in the wrestling business.

Nalin Kateel finds himself in a similar situation.

I admit, calling Congress’s Janardhan Poojary a legend might be a bit too far fetched but none can discount the reach and influence of the man as far as politics is concerned.

And Nalin Kateel has just had his first taste of vanquishing a behemoth.

Janardhan Poojary and Co. thought he had it easy when BJP announced Nalin Kateel as the MP candidate.

Same mistake most of Orton’s opponents did owing to Orton’s perceived inexperience in big matches.

However, Orton and Nalin Kateel proved they had what it takes to win the big matches – focus, determination and a thirst for winning. There is another important thing going for both, keep reading to know what that is.

The Numbers

But first, here are the numbers: of the 10,15,498 voters polled, Nalin Kateel got 49.16 per cent of the votes while Poojary bagged only 45.18 per cent.

49.16 per cent on a first run! That translates to 4,99,385 voters putting their trust in a relative newbie.

Poojary’s Future?

Janardhan Poojary, on the other hand, had to face anti-incumbancy factor plus local geo-political backlash that has be dogging him for the fourth consecutive time since 1991, when he faced his first defeat after four consecutive stints as Mangalore MP. This was also the time when he served as a union minister.

With his win-loss score at4-4 since 1977 and the recent humbling by a what many veteran would call a political newbie has put a serious question mark Janardhan Poojary’s political future.

Nalin Kateel’s Journey

Nalin Kateel’s journey to glory was not without hard work and determination. The 42 year old newly crowned Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha member’s website states that after his father’s death, Nalin Kateel took the responsibility of managing his family’s affairs upon himself. He began his career as a civil contractor and worked his way up.

For the time being, Nalin Kateel will be known to Mangaloreans as the youngster who vanquished a legend. As the celebratory crackers and sweets die down and he assumes the duties attached to his chair, all eyes will follow his progress. I hope Nalin Kateel will do justice to the trust DK people have placed on him.

Ties of Blood and Sweat

And now for the one important thing that’s going for both Orton and Nalin Kateel without which one can argue that they would not have come so far.

That is (drum rolls please) THE FAMILY!

Orton is a third generation wrestler whose dad and granddad worked in WWE for years. One of the chief reasons Orton got a break as a big guy is because of this connection.

Nalin Kateel also has the backing of a different sort of family, but a family nonetheless. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Nalin Kateel has been a pracharak (full-time worker) of the RSS for 12 years since he was 18 where he was recognised for his organisational skills, particularly for religious events.

When it’s Time to Play The Game…

But this family backing does not in any ways undermine the individual achievements of both players.

Orton has vindicated the trust placed on him by his bosses and the masses few years ago and has consistently over-delivered. This is only through his sheer talent and abilities.

Nalin Kateel is currently where Orton was few years back. People and the bosses have placed immense trust on this fellow. He knows there’s a thin fine line between the desires of the masses and the desires of the bosses. Hopefully, our new MP has enough steel, courage and determination to walk this line for 5 years.

I, along with the people of DK, wish Nalin Kateel all the best for his newly launched political future. I hope he follows the footsteps of one Mr. Randall Orton and makes everybody proud in the years to come.