Mangaluru: The newly formed Sasantra Tulunad Paksha would be fielding its candidates in all five Assembly constituencies in Udupi district and all eight Assembly constituencies in Dakshina Kannada district. Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, Aikalbawa Chittaranjandas Shetty, president of the Udupi district unit of Sasantra Tulunad Paksha, said that the aim of the party was to protect and promote Tulu language, the culture and environment of Tulunadu.

The party had already selected three candidates — Sudarshan Poojary for Udupi Assembly Constituency, Sumanth K. Poojary for Karkala Assembly Constituency, and Vidyashri Shetty for Puttur Assembly Constituency in Dakshina Kannada.

None of the national parties were interested in matters concerned with Tulunadu. The first blow to Tulunadu was struck when Kasaragod, which was part of Tulunadu, was given away to Kerala during the Re-organization of States. Despite decades of struggle and assurances by established political parties, it had not been possible to include Tulu language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Tulunadu was known for its culture such as Kola, Nagaradhane, and Bhootaradhane. It also had a unique buffalo race called Kambala. But now these were facing problems from people who did not understand their importance.

Such was the pathetic state of affairs in Tulunadu, the youth of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts had to go to places, including Mumbai and Bengaluru, in search of jobs.

Shailesh R.J., president of Sasantra Tulunadu Paksha, Prashanth, Mushtaq, party leaders, were present.