Kumta Assembly constituency falls under the Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka. The constituency is a general category seat. Dinakar Keshav Shetty of BJP is currently the MLA of the constituency. The constituency is majorly dominated by Hindus followed by Muslims and Christians in the region. in the 2013 Assembly election. Sharda Mohan Shetty of INC (29.58%) defeated Dinakar Keshav Shetty of JD(s) (29.24%). Dinakar Keshav Shetty later joined BJP. This switch bore valuable fruit for Dinakar Keshav Shetty and BJP as Dinakar Keshav Shetty (40.63%) defeated Sharada Mohan Shetty of INC (18.23%) in the 2018 Assembly election. Apart from winning the 2018 Assembly election, Dinakar Keshav Shetty had previously won the 2008 Assembly election from Janata Dal (Secular). There is a shift in political dynamics in the constituency as INC has decided to provide to ticket to Nivedit Alva. Nivedit Alva is the son of senior INC leader Margaret Alva. On the other hand, JD(S) has given ticket to Suraj Naik Soni. Suraj Naik Soni previously contested the 2018 Assembly election as an independent candidate.

The dominant caste in the region is the Vokkaligas community. Vokkaligas are divided into Gowda community, Halakki Vokkaligas and Pattegara Vokkaliga community. The political inclination differs from one community to another. The Gowda community is inclined towards JD(S) in the upcoming Assembly elections. Whereas, both Halakki Vokkaligas and Pattegara Vokkaligas are inclined towards BJP. It needs to be taken into consideration that there is a miniscule set of people from the communities who are inclined towards both JD(S) and INC. Namdari community is the second dominant caste in the region. Their inclination is towards JD(S) primarily because of Suraj Naik Soni who belongs to the Namdari community. The demand for a fresh face and development remains other reasons for the inclination by the community. Brahmins in the region are traditionally supporters of BJP and their inclination remain unchanged for the upcoming Assembly election. Though, diminutive segment of Gaud Saraswati Brahmins has indicated towards supporting JD(S) over BJP in the upcoming election. SC community votes are split in with around 40% indicating support towards BJP and others supporting INC. Majority of people belonging to Scheduled Tribes community are inclined towards JD(S) with minor segment favouring INC. Both Muslims and Christians in the region have indicated support towards INC citing change and development as key reasons for support.

The key issues that locals are facing currently is the lack of healthcare facilities provided in the hospitals in the region. Further, land rights are being withheld by the BJP government especially for those encroaching the forest areas and constructing houses in congested urban areas. This has caused uproar within the locals against BJP. Vokakaliga community support for BJP has been boosted due to active engagement of BJP and Vokkaliga leader Ashwath Narayan in the region. The recent campaign by Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders in the constituency has helped in bringing back some amount of the lost support towards BJP in the region. This has led to polarisation of votes as many locals who previously wanted to vote for JD(S) are now again shifting back to BJP due to the influence of the campaign. There is also disappointment from many belonging to Halakki and Pattegara Vollakias who expected JD(S) to give ticket to a candidate from their community. The upcoming Assembly election will be a fierce contest between BJP and JD(S) with BJP having edge over JD(S).

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