Mangalore, April 6, 2013:
With J R Lobo’s name figuring in the list of candidates released by the Congress, it is going to be Yogish Bhat vs Lobo in Mangalore South constituency for the forthcoming assembly elections. This has put an end to the week-long speculation following the intense lobbying for ticket between Ivan D Souza camp and J R Lobo camp. With the BJP too confirming the candidature of sitting four- time MLA Yogish Bhat, Mangalore South is going to witness another intense battle in the ensuing state assembly elections.
It may be recalled that there was an intense lobbying from both J R Lobo and Ivan D Souza camps to impress upon the central leadership of the Congress for party ticket. Just a week ago it was speculated that the Ivan D Souza’s name was finalized after the same was endorsed by the Bishop of Mangalore. But following the intervention of a powerful businessmen and intense lobbying by followers of J R Lobo, the scale finally tilted in favour of J R Lobo, a former bureaucrat, who took VRS to join the Congress last year.
Ivan D Souza who was the Congress candidate against Yogish Bhat in 2008 assembly elections from the beginning was apprehensive of Lobo’s entry into the Congress. There was big fracas in the Congress office when a formal function was organized to welcome the entry of J R Lobo.
