Ban upheld, Congress candidate Vinay Kulkarni’s wife leads campaign in Dharwad

DHARWAD: For the first time in Dharwad Rural constituency, Congress has launched its campaign without the presence of its candidate.
Congress had nominated former minister and two time MLA Vinay Kulkarni as its candidate. However, a special court had banned him from entering Dharwad in connection with the murder of ZP member Yogeeshgouda Goudar.
While Kulkarni has appealed the decision in the high court, the onus of reaching out to voters lies with his wife, Shivaleela Kulkarni, and block presidents, who have taken the responsibility to campaign in the constituency.
Shivaleela, a BA graduate, also completed formalities of filing Kulkarni’s nomination papers on Thursday and together with party workers and local functionaries she visits each village and holds rallies and meetings with voters.
Shivaleela, who is hopeful the high court will lift the ban, told TOI that it is nothing new, since she accompanied her husband on campaign trails in previous elections.
“I take the help of seniors to plan campaign activities and chalk out a daily routine,” Shivaleelasaid. “I hold meetings with people in all villages in our constituency. We visit at a time people give us since they are busy with agricultural activities. Voters, including women, are extending their support. Vinay must win so that he can resolve their problems. ”
She said she highlights developmental works, including construction of roads and lakes in villagesundertaken by her husband during his tenure as minister and MLA. “It is a big challenge for me to lead the campaignin, but I am trying my best to reach out to all voters,” she said.
Ishwar Shivalli, president, Congress Rural block, Dharwad, said. “There is sympathy for Vinay and it will be a big boost for the party. We are campaigning from dawn to dusk. ”
Candidate moves high court
The high court on Thursday ordered notice to CBI in a petition filed by Congress functionary Vinay Kulkarni who is seeking relaxation in bail conditions, one of which bars his entry into Dharwad district. The petition will come up for hearing on Friday.
Kulkarni is arraigned as accused No 15 in the murder of Dharwad BJP zilla panchayat member Yogeeshgouda Goudar and a CBI court had barred him from entering Dharwad.
On Tuesday, a special court for elected representatives rejected Kulkarni’s application to permit him to visit Dharwad for 50 days. Kulkarni had argued that he owns a dairy farm with 2,000 milking buffaloes, 1,400 goats and other livestock and none of his three children (two daughters and a son) cannot look after the animals. But the trial court refused to modify bail conditions.