Puttur : The mood is learnt to be upbeat in the JD(S) camp in Puttur more so because the party chief has almost decided to field BN Dinesh, the brother-in-law of the former CM DV Sadananda Gowda as the party candidate from the assembly constituency.
Already, DVS has ruled out his contesting from Puttur and the candidature of BN Dinesh is the obvious reason, feel many.
The BJP on its part is still indecisive on its candidate here as the sitting MLA Mallika Prasad has said she was not interested in contesting the second time. On the other hand, the Congress is likely to field former MLA Shakuntala Shetty who recently joined the party.
According to one source, Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel was keen to contest from Puttur, as he wants to actively involve himself in state politics. There are chances of the party fielding him either from Puttur or Moodbidri.
As far as JD(S) candidate from Puttur is concerned, it is noteworthy that BN Dinesh who hails from Subrahamanya has been instrumental in strengthening the party in Sullia. His exit from the BJP and his joining the JD(S) is believed to be a great loss to the BJP.
The KJP meanwhile is also planning to field I C Kailas Gowda.
A meeting of the JD(S) was also held recently and its election campaign office will be opened at Darbe on March 21