Bhatkal MLA Sunil Naik likely to be dumped by BJP in candidate list, sources say might switch to JDS
Might contest as independent candidate, join BJP later: Sources
Bhatkal: Ahead of the release of the candidate list of the BJP, speculations in the local political circles are rife that the Saffron party is likely to dump its sitting MLA Sunil Naik from the constituency and would be fielding a fresh candidate as the party’s face in coming elections.
Sunil Naik, who was facing stiff opposition from within the party, is likely to switch to JD(S) and is reportedly in talks with the JD(S) high command for a ticket from the party.
Sources close to the MLA also added that he is mulling contesting the election as an independent candidate. The sources also added that Sunil Naik was exploring the prospects of him joining the BJP again if he manages victory in the election while also demanding a ministry portfolio for himself.
JD(S) on the other hand has remained a mute spectator of the situation in Bhatkal. Media reports had earlier claimed that the JD(S) chief and former CM HD Kumaraswamy had assured noted High Court lawyer Nagendra Naik of a party ticket from the constituency.
With Congress announcing former MLA Mankal Vaidya as its candidate, both BJP and JD(S) are trying to tackle an internal feud among several of its candidates, nursing ticket aspirations.
In the BJP, local leader Govinda Naik, a staunch Sangh Parivar activist has emerged as the front-runner for the ticket while Ishwar Naik is also among those being considered in the race.
In the JD(S) one of its most prominent local leaders Inayathullah Shabandri is still hopeful of a party ticket but the chances of his candidature look bleak with Nagendra Naik getting assurance from the party chief.
It will be interesting to see if JD(s) dumps Nagendra Naik as well as Shabandri to take the BJP’s dumped sitting MLA on board.
BJP is expected to release its list of candidates on Tuesday late night or Wednesday morning, after a series of meetings that have been held over the last two days in New Delhi. The meetings were attended by CM Bommai and party strongman BS Yediyurappa along with other senior leaders.
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Andhra CM promises housing for all poor by 2029
Amaravati (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said his government will ensure housing for all the poor before 2029 and allocate housing plots for those who do not own land.
Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister urged eligible beneficiaries who have not received a house to apply, assuring that both the central and state governments would take the responsibility for providing housing to all.
“We will not only build houses for all the poor before 2029 but also provide housing plots to landless people,” said Naidu, adding that the government intends to build houses for all the poor.
Noting that the state government aims to allot housing plots to all before 2029, Naidu said it will build apartments if housing plots were not available.
Ahead of Ugadi festival in 2026, the CM said the government will organise three lakh house warming ceremonies under welfare housing, vowing to organise 10 lakh such events within 2026.
On agriculture, Naidu said the southern state accounts for 10 percent of agricultural production at the national level.
He outlined a five-pronged approach of water security, demand-driven crops, food processing, marketing and government support to develop agriculture.
In fiscal 2025 – 26, the CM said Rs 13,772 crore has been earmarked for free power to agriculture, and a financial aid of Rs 20,000 per annum is being given to farmers under Annadata Sukhibava welfare scheme.
According to him, only Rs 7,500 was given to farmers during the previous YSRCP regime. He highlighted that the TDP-led NDA government is offering more than double that amount.
The TDP supremo also announced plans to expand AI agronomist and farm mechanisation services on a large-scale.
Noting that Rs 14,230 crore investments have flowed into the food processing sector, Naidu said the government is concentrating on this front.
Observing that 15 lakh acres are under natural farming in 8,168 villages, he said the target is to expand it to 50 lakh acres.
Besides setting up a large cocoa city near Eluru, he said the government will provide power at Rs 1.5 per unit to aquaculture, among other initiatives.
Assuring continued support, Naidu said his government would stand by farmers in all circumstances and also extend assistance to tenant farmers.
Meanwhile, Irrigation Minister N Rama Naidu informed the House that water would be supplied up to Anakapalli by June 2026 through Polavaram left main canal.
He also said that the government has allocated Rs 600 crore in FY27 budget for Sujala Sravanti project in North Andhra.
The House was later adjourned till Wednesday, March 4.
