Mangaluru: The search for a new leader to head the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee has gained momentum, with several senior leaders and emerging faces entering the race for the key organisational position.
The Congress has begun the process of selecting a new district president by seeking opinions from grassroots workers and party leaders. An observer team appointed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has started consultations as part of the selection process.
The move has created interest among party workers, as the selection process is expected to focus on organisational ability, commitment to the party, social representation, and the ability to strengthen the Congress structure across Dakshina Kannada.
Several Names Under Consideration
Several prominent leaders are being discussed for the post, including former Mangaluru Mayor Shashidhar Hegde, Legislative Council member Ivan D'Souza, former Lok Sabha candidate Padmaraj R. Poojary, Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation Chairperson Mamatha Gatti, Eco Tourism Board Chairperson Shalet Pinto, KPCC spokesperson M.G. Hegde, and party leader Kavu Hemanath Shetty.
The possibility of appointing a woman leader has also increased interest around names such as Mamatha Gatti and Shalet Pinto. Mamatha Gatti has experience in local governance, having served as a Taluk Panchayat Vice-President and Zilla Panchayat member.
Among minority community leaders, names including Ivan D'Souza, Shahul Hameed, M.S. Mohammed, Naveen D'Souza, Lukman Bantwal, and Padmaprasad Jain are being considered, while Padmaraj Poojary, Prithviraj, and Vishwas Das are among the OBC leaders whose names are being discussed.
Grassroots Feedback to Play Key Role
The Congress leadership has adopted a consultation-based approach for selecting district presidents. The observer team will interact with party workers and leaders from different blocks and assembly constituencies before submitting recommendations to the party high command.
The selection process in Dakshina Kannada is part of the party's wider organisational restructuring exercise. The observers are expected to gather feedback from local units and recommend suitable names before the final decision by the AICC and KPCC leadership.
Party insiders believe that the new president should have the ability to travel across the district, connect with grassroots workers, coordinate with senior leaders, and strengthen the party organisation.
Youth Leader or Experienced Organiser?
The biggest discussion within party circles is whether Congress will choose a younger face to bring fresh energy to the organisation or rely on an experienced leader familiar with the district's political dynamics.
While younger leaders are seeking opportunities, senior leaders with years of organisational experience continue to remain strong contenders.
The new district president will face the challenge of uniting different sections within the party and preparing the organisation for upcoming political challenges.
Harish Kumar's Long Tenure
The current District Congress Committee president Harish Kumar K. has been leading the organisation for several years. He had earlier indicated his willingness to step down, and the party is now moving ahead with the process of selecting his successor.
The final choice is expected to reflect the party's strategy for strengthening its presence in Dakshina Kannada while balancing experience, representation, and organisational requirements.
Keywords
Dakshina Kannada Congress, Congress District President, Mangaluru Politics, Karnataka Congress, Mamatha Gatti, Padmaraj Poojary, Ivan D'Souza, Puttur Political News, Citizen News Puttur