Bengaluru: The Congress and BJP will lock horns on the electoral battleground again, in less than a year, in Karnataka as the stage is set for voting in the first phase in 14 Lok Sabha seats on Friday.
It's going to be a straight fight between the ruling Congress and the BJP-JD(S) combine unlike the Assembly elections in May last year which witnessed a triangular contest among the three parties.
The state has a total of 28 Lok Sabha constituencies. The second phase of polling in the remaining 14 seats is on May seven.
A total of 247 candidates -- 226 men and 21 women -- are in the fray for the first phase in most of the southern and coastal districts.
More than 2.88 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 30,602 polling stations where polling will take place between 7 am to 6 pm.
While the Congress is contesting in all 14 seats, BJP has fielded nominees in 11 and its alliance partner JD(S), which joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in three -- Hassan, Mandya and Kolar.
Besides the three, the segments where elections will be held on Friday are: Udupi-Chikmagalur, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South and Chikkballapur.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Congress and JD(S), which were in alliance and ruling the state then, had secured just one seat each in these 14 segments. The BJP had won in 11 and ensured the victory of a party supported independent candidate in Mandya.
Having scored a thumping victory in the Assembly elections, the Congress now appears determined to put up a strong show.
Karnataka is the most important state for the BJP in south India as it's only here that it had held power in the past. 'Its alliance partner JD(S) is fighting to remain politically relevant, after the Assembly poll drubbing,' a political analyst said.
The Old Mysore region is the Vokkaliga heartland and parts of it have been the traditional bastion of the JDS. However, the current elections are a battle for survival for JDS.
According to Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Meena, 1.4 lakh polling officials will be on duty for the first phase.
Besides them, 5,000 micro-observers, 50,000 civil police personnel, 65 companies of Central Parliamentary Force and State Armed Police force of other States will also be deployed for security.
All the 2,829 polling stations of Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency will be webcast, Meena said.
'This is as per the request of our returning officers and observers; so we have given more than double the Central parliamentary force for Bangalore Rural constituency. Seven companies of Central paramilitary forces have been inducted at the constituency since April 22,' he told reporters on Wednesday.
In fact, out of the total 30,602 polling stations in the first phase, 19,701 will be webcast, and 1,370 covered via CCTVs, he said.
Chikkaballapur has a maximum number of 29 candidates, followed by 24 in Bangalore Central, and Dakshina Kannada has the least number - nine.
JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy from Mandya, his brother-in-law and noted cardiologist C N Manjunath from Bangalore Rural on a BJP ticket, erstwhile Mysuru royal family scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar from Mysore, also from the BJP, and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's brother and MP D K Suresh of Congress from Bangalore Rural, are among the prominent candidates in the fray in the first phase.
Also in the fray are BJP MP Tejasvi Surya from Bangalore South against Minister Ramalinga Reddy's daughter Sowmya Reddy of Congress, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on BJP ticket from Bangalore North against former IIM Bangalore professor M V Rajeev Gowda of Congress.
The Congress' performance in the elections, especially in the first phase which covers almost all Vokkaliga-dominated districts, is being seen as a big test of sorts for its state unit chief Shivakumar, who has made no secret of his ambition to become chief minister, amid speculations of change in guard mid-way of the Assembly term.
Stakes are also high for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as victory in particular in his home turf—Mysore and Chamarajanagar—is seen as key for strengthening hands, analysts say.
For the JD(S) and its state chief Kumaraswamy, the task is cut out -- to prove that the regional party is still a force to reckon with, particularly in the Vokkaliga dominated Old Mysuru or South Karnataka region.
Both Shivakumar and Kumaraswamy are Vokkaligas, and are engaged in a fierce turf war to consolidate their clout over the dominant community.
It is also seen as a kind of a 'litmus test' for state BJP president B Y Vijayendra, who has the onerous task of helping the party retain its supremacy in the Lok Sabha elections.
Ensuring a BJP sweep is paramount for the son of veteran leader B S Yediyurappa, to consolidate his position and silence critics who have questioned his selection for the post, overlooking seniors and seasoned hands.
The ruling Congress is mostly banking on the implementation of its populist five guarantee schemes. The BJP and JD(S) seem to be leveraging the 'Modi factor' to the hilt.
Comments
Death to the Global Jihad.
Death to Sharia.
Death to Islamism.
Jai Hind!
sir in my vision you are the great indian leader
sir in my vision you are the great leader in the indian history
sir in my vision you are the great leader in the indian histor
To Bopanna,
Hi Guy, Just study the fact in India itself Islam is growing faster than any religion. Most of the them who embraced Islam are Hindus. But they are educated, I don't know your knowledge
You need to refresh your mind. Please Don't waste the reader's time.
.
What's wrong in what he said ? He spoke the truth that Islam is a violent religion
Send him to mental hospital.
He should be wiped out and NOT ISLAM......Where are you Naren....we are missing you.... Lost in the Bangkok streets.....If you are still there, please take this MAD MAN to Bangkok....
This is a failed attempt to divert the public concentration from the issues like Rohit Vemula and JNU in Karnataka... Chaddi's will never learn from history.....
Nobody in India gave such statement against any religion.
Poor guy forgot Dr. Chittaranjan's fate in the same Bhatkal.
Now he is in risk, why unnecessarily inviting unbearable venture.
He is in Bhatkal. better apologize or prepare for the worst.
Don't worry until today those tried to wipeout islam are themself wiped out,it is a promise of almighty to the people till the last hour comes let witness those alive.
What a Joke!!!
If you want to come to Lime Light you utter such non-sense, actually he is pleading not appealing to the Media to publish his speech, otherwise who will know him, never heard his name before, now he is Star (Villain Star),
Way to go Anant Kumar!!
Like that barking only uneducated Pagal Kuttha so leave it.
More the people trying to defame Islam the more Islam is spreading. 9/11 was done to defame Islam since then more people studies Islam and accepted Islam. allahu akbar
Poor guy.. Joined politics couldnt do anything for the community. Nobody even knows him.. He did nothing. Now he wants to come on news headlines, want to be famous as getting old. Want to be hero among people who provoke.. Want to be another donald trump of india. My dear nobody cares for you. Nobody wants to know you.. Hehe what a waste having you in india.
Mr.AKD...just asks with your own Hindu Brothers & sisters those who live in Arabian Sand , how they enjoy their peace life with their family & children in Muslim countries ! Then you will come to know the real fact of terrorism.
COMMUNAL RAGAV, GO TO NEPAL FOR FREEDOM SPEECH ,///// WE NEED PEACE HERE,, [JAI HIND]
one more idiot appears in chaddi parivaar.
This stupid is dangerous to peace loving Hindu society
You better try yourself rather than asking others to do it. Most of the people in BJP are gone mad. O Hegde Islam is near to your door step. Come out if you dare to know the beauty of Islam.
Metal Manja This MP,
More you try to wipe out more it spreads
This RSS dog is trying to spread virus poison at Uttara Kannada surroundings. Hope peace loving Kannadiga's will kick him from power shortly.
All are well aware these are the special training from his dirty nagpur base.
But rss will never succeed fro any angle.
He is in the state of \vitiated by perversity nature\""
Where is the commnet from Ibraheem Hussain Udupi.
We muslims fuck you anthya kumra hedge...
See his pig face donkey...why media is publishing this type of dog news...
Islam is the religion which brings peace and tranquility to entire human kind, now it is your turn to accept Islam and do some good things, otherwise you will have to taste hell fire hereafter. Also you have to believe in last and final messenger of Allah \Mohammed Sallalahu Alaiwassallam\".....
I pray. May Allah give you hidaya (goodness) and accept Islam as soon as possible...."
Dear Mr. Anantha its not like make in india or Mad in india or something like that , this is Isalam one and only Fast Growing Religion throughout the world no one can Stop, you are a just Dust for our Religion.
Islam is a religion of ALLAH.No one can harm Islam.Bec Allah knows how to protect his religion.Dont take it seriously leave him (Poor Guy).Allah is the great planer than the so called ordinary people.For them this world is All.But for us Life begins AFTER DEATH.So you people enjoy here we Muslim will enjoy Later.(In sha allah)
He wants to capture the attention of Mr,Modi by giving such statements where Modi likes such statements and will they will get the Minister post in his Cabinet.Like Anupam Kher got Nation Award for speaking against Amir Khan.
WHAT HE KNOW ABOUT ISLAM , USELESS GUY HE IS ..
I THK THIS TIME HE NEED TICKET UN ELECTION SO HE BARKING LIKE DOG
IF SOMEINE TALK AGAINST THE ISLAM OFFCOURCE BJP WIL GIVE TICKET ,
Y MEDIA HE HIGHLIGHTED THIS USELESS GUY NEWS..
Intolerence.....
He thought he became hero, barking like dog.
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