Captain G.R. Gopinath, the founder of the lowcost airline Air Deccan, on why he is standing from Bangalore South as an independent candidate, on IBN Live:
“I did not choose a party as every candidate who represents a party does so by forfeiting his right to think! Because only the high command for every party thinks and plans and the voice of the constituents are never heard.”
Read the full article: 26/11 responsible for my political debut
churumuri 
…or that he is essentially unelectable, and no party wants to “waste” a ticket by fielding someone who is likely to
a. Not only not win, but
b. When he wins, deviate from the party line repeatedly and often.
It’s not rocket science… really.
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and this is what PM Manmohan Singh today said in Mumbai about independent candidates ” They (independents) are ‘spoilers’… I seek the cooperation of this vibrant city not to encourage these independent candidates because they cannot win and they are only spoilers,”
Wonder how will Capt react…
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his standing in election is for himself, definetely waste for society. he will cause more harm than helping us. He thinks this also as no frills attached and can take off. Best of luck
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He visited our office during lunchtime to campaign.
Qualities of a politician
1) He spoke for a long 30 – 40 minutes – bored everyone
2) did not take any questions at the end of it
Why he will never win?
1) The office was not located in his constituencey
2) His audience was less than 75
3) 50% plus people dont belong to Bengaluru and won’t vote
4) Other 50% – 50% dont belong to his constituency
5) Balance belonging to his constituency – 50% will not vote
6) Balance – even if all of them vote, he spent 45 minutes to get less than 10 votes.
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Fantastic!
Ditto in my office!!! and what more he even said “if THEY (??!!) dont elect me its THEIR loss”???!!!
(whose they? whom is he representing?)
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His contesting the election is only a publicity stunt for his new cargo firm to be launched shortly. Who else would discuss him so much otherwise? and the media attention? Does he think we are fools that dont see his tricks?
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Subbulakshmi:
It would be cynical for us to think that Gopinath doesn’t have some right reasons to contest.
I do agree he being an independent militates against the what we ideally should have in this country – A two party democracy.
But, then what he says is so true. We elect MPs to think for our welfare and frame laws. Not to be ‘whip’ped by a party to vote in some pattern. For example, in Nuclear debate the parliament was divided on partisan lines. Many in BJP would’ve liked to vote for the bill, but couldn’t for the fear of defying party line.
BJP’s top brass (Which is typically a cabal of 5-10 leaders) and Congres top brass (Which is typically sonia gandhi) decide which way the entire block votes.
Defeats the whole purpose of having a parliament and seperate MPs. We might as well decide the policies on the vote shares each party garnered!!
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Manmohan Sir, at least the independents are standing for the election.
It is shameful for a man of your integrity and scholarship to make such comments.
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It is not even funny to read the comments above. These are the same Cheddi that harp on slaves of High command, don’t have brain to think independently bla , blah…
Now a candidate comes to their doorstep, all they have to say is this…Phew. These cheddi sullas(lairs), if they have to vote the Ananth kalla, let them say so. No need to hide behind all these Sulla excuse …why he can not win etc.
Bangalore south have a choice of two good candidates Gopinath and a young educated Gowda….oh but he is Gowda….
Well there it is for you cheddis vote of Ananth joker, for another excuse of voting for the party to elect Gaddar of Kandhar PM.
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Yeddyurappa’s son is telling his friends in Shimoga that his dad has fielded Captain!
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@Coffee Addict.
That is a worst kept secret, for kannadigas!
Anyway, should be majaa after Ananth Narsimha raju and yeddi’s cheddi both lose.
There are enough disgruntal indiviuals in BJP for a right moment. Watch out who the all powerful reddys support. Lingayt lobby of yeddis? or victim hood Brahmin lobby?
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khan saab… what do you mean “oh but he is Gowda’?? eh?
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Subbalakshmi you are aware of the constituancy profile of south Bangalore. We are living in a era of divisive politics as propounded by the great sage Advani himself.
Poor chap just wanted the exclusive politics Muslims, but opportunist BSP, SP, JDS took it altogether different direction of caste based.
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Khan avare – “Gowday boy”. Pls note Bengaluru south is privileged enough to get good quality candidates – be it krishna, gopinath, ananth or radhakrishna. Many, many brahmins will vote for krishna byregowda and many gowdas will vote for anantha “brahmana” kumara. Bengaluru dakshina has come out of this caste business long back. it is only parties and media who talk about caste angle here. A BC person (K Chandrashekar) was voted in as a corporator and an MLA in large brahmana dominated constituency of Basavanagudi – he lost only because he was perceived to be corrupt. Basavanagudi loves him even today as the person who changed the face of parks and gardens in Bengaluru.
I think rather than focusin on gowda, brahmana, et, al it is time you focused on providing contemporary education among the poor and lower middle classes of your brethren, providing education to your girl children, removing the veil off their heads and making them feel confident and worthy. You will prosper. And, really, I want you to prosper.
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And, khaan, pls dont demean narasimha raju when you call ananth kumar in a negative way as narasimha raju. Narasimha Raju was the foremost comedian in the south during his times – “hasya chakravarthi”. I think I can suggest a better name – Ananth “Naarada” Kumar. Dont worry, we can laugh at ourselves.
Whether it is a gowda or a brahmana that gets elected in bengaluru south, there is a good possibility that either of them will end up being a minister in the new government – i.e., if Madam really wants to encourage youth in bangalore rather than the oldies dharam and kharge (if at all they win).
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