Congress’ primaries concept to select electoral candidates is the most discussed topic in Dakshina Kannada district’s political circles these days.

Not the concept per se , but the entry and exit of Veerappa Moily’s son Harsha Moily in the primaries.

Dakshina Kannada was among the 15 parliamentary constituencies selected by the Congress to conduct primaries, a system wherein party workers select their candidates through vote.

Many senior Congress leaders were taken by surprise when Dakshina Kannada was chosen for primaries, as the District Congress Committee had already suggested the candidature of senior leader Janardhana Poojary. Harsha emerged as a contender when the decision to hold primaries in the district was taken.

He had started the ground work a few months ago by conducting meetings with party leaders and workers. When the returning officers of Congress announced the names of the contenders on March 2, Harsha’s nomination was rejected. The reason given was non-satisfaction of eligibility criteria.

“It wasn’t the best start to a career in electoral politics. But I have no complaints,” said Harsha. “I do qualify as a candidate under the third criteria mentioned in the Candidate Handbook of the Congress,” he added.

The third criterion is “A person of standing in public service/social cause and who is not a member of any political party.” Harsha had stated in the application that he has been involved in public service through his role as trustee and secretary of Kisan Sabha Trust, which manages a charitable school for poor children.

“I have contributed to the economic upliftment and empowerment of dairy farmers in rural India as the Managing Director of the agribusiness company MokshaYug Access India Pvt Ltd,” Harsha said. The clause that the decision of the AICC General Secretary shall be final defeats the purpose and objective of primaries, according to Harsha.

“Providing arbitrary and discretionary power in the hands of one individual makes this a non-transparent and unfair clause. I am sure this is an issue that will have to be addressed and necessary corrections will have to be made for future primaries,” he said. hastened to add that he will anyway campaign for the Congress nominee in Dakshina Kannada

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