Muslim outfits oppose 'Vinay Kumar Sorake' choice for Dakshina Kannada seat

Mangaluru: Former minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake's hopes of contesting from Dakshina Kannada this Lok Sabha poll have come up against a hurdle with the district Muslim organisations' federation strongly opposing his candidature.

The federation, which met on Monday, has appealed to the Congress not to field Mr Sorake from Dakshina Kannada constituency as he is " anti-minority."

"We are opposed to Sorake due to his anti- minority stand, especially during the last taluk and zilla panchayat elections when he was MLA of Kaup," federation president, K Ashraf told the Deccan Chronicle.

"In the past Muslim candidates have won zilla and taluk panchayat elections for the Congress. But Sorake ensured that Muslims were not given tickets in the last local body elections. What was more shocking was his statement that Hindus would not vote for Muslims. How can we tolerate this?" he asked.

Recalling that Muslim support had played a crucial role in his win from Kaup, he regretted that Mr Sorake had turned his back on them after being elected. "So we are strongly opposed to him. We do not want the Congress to field such a candidate from Dakshina Kannada. If it still fields him, we will have to rethink about voting for it," he warned.

A two- time MLA from Puttur, and a former MP from Udupi, Mr Sorake lost the assembly election from Kaup last year, although he had represented it the previous term.

Now with veteran Congress leader, Janardhan Poojary losing five times from Dakshina Kannada and being in poor health, Mr Sorake hopes to contest from the constituency in his place. But it now remains to be seen whether the Muslim community here will spoil his chances.