Karnataka polls: This crorepati candidate goes around barefoot

UDUPI: Although he had declared assets worth crores of rupees, Gururaj Shetty Gantihole, BJP’s candidate from Byndoor constituency, goes around barefoot. A full-time RSS worker, Gantihole was given the party ticket to Byndoor seat at the expense of incumbent legislator BM Sukumar Shetty. Gantihole has already been campaigning, going door-todoor barefoot and holding rallies. “I am a devotee of Ayyappa Swami and have been going to Sabarimala every month,” Gantihole.
“Being a vrathadhari, I do not wear footwear. This has now become a routine in my life. For me, not wearing chappals is a part of my lifestyle, nothing more.” In his affidavit to the Election Commission, Gantihole has declared immovable assets worth Rs 32.7 lakh (individual capacity) and 45% share in a firm worth Rs 7.2 crore. While Gantihole has movable assets worth Rs 1.7 lakh, his spouse Anuradha Shetty has assets worth Rs 18.7 lakh. Commonly known as ‘barefoot saint’, Gantihole, 42, has liabilities of Rs 1.6 crore (individual capacity) and Rs 9.1 crore (firm liability).
In his affidavit, Gantihole has also revealed that he was convicted by a court in a cheque bounce case and was ordered to pay a fine of Rs 6 lakh. If he failed to pay, he faced six months of simple imprisonment. However, the verdict of the lower court has been stayed and the matter has been posted for arguments by the additional district and sessions court in Kundapur. “I was born into a poor family at Gantihole of Uppunda village and worked as a labourer on farms,” the BJP candidate said. “When I was in school, I used to do farm work every day before going to attend classes. I met RSS functionaries in my school days and thereafter I was drawn into Sangh activities. I became a full-time RSS worker after I entered college. Later, I was given responsibilities in BJP. I have been leading a simple life from my childhood.”