Mangaluru: In a scathing message to the state government, Vittala Malekudiya (Scheduled Tribe) who was branded as sympathizer of Maoists and subsequently arrested in the year 2012 on Saturday filed nomination papers with the returning officer at Naravi Village Panchayath in order to contest Grama Panchayath elections.
With this Vittala entered the fray at Ward No 5 possessing massive hope of winning the election. The Ward, according to Vital, consists as many as 600 voters. “I am confident of emerging successful in the elections.” However Communist Party of India (Marxist) was backing him in this venture, he added.
He rued he did not had any connections with Naxals, but government from four years has been constantly targeting him in turn fixing, in what he termed as dubious case. He and his father Linganna Malekudiya were arrested on January 30, 2012 on the charges of having links with Maoists. Post Graduate (PG) Degree holder in journalism Vittala’s arrest sparked protests, with CPI (M) demanding the release of duo, father and son. The police accused Vittala of holding meetings in Kuthlur and circulating pamphlets issued by Maoists. The police have charged the two under Section 10 and 13 (3) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Section 120 and 120 (b) of the Indian Penal Code.
Vittala further speaking on his stance to contest elections said his filing of nominations send strong message to the state. “No Maoists contest elections, in fact they disrupt process of democratic franchise.” It could also be recalled that he was in chains for months and was forced to write his PG examinations from the prison. He expressed he was aspiring to contest elections to contradict pseudo view held by the state government.
It could be observed that as many as 30 people accompanied Vittala while he filed nomination including those who signed as witness against Vittala in his case. On the other hand Democratic Youth Federation Of India, State President Muneer Katipalla said time was rife for the Siddaramaiah lead Congress government to remove the blind fold as Vittala taking part in democratic process. He alleged Vittala was unable to contest elections from Ward No 2 (Kuthlur ) since reservation only allow SC/ST woman and general category woman to contest for two seats.
The Ward No 2 was his dwelling place and most of the Scheduled Tribes hail from this place. In other words, Muneer said he was denied candidature due to irrational reservation of government. He said DYFI will support his candidature from Ward No 5 which contains population of diverse castes mainly Billava and Bunt communities.
