Bengaluru: The Congress and BJP will lock horns on the electoral battleground again in less than a fortnight in Karnataka, as the stage is set for the second phase of elections in the 14 remaining Lok Sabha seats on Tuesday.
It is going to be a straight fight between the ruling Congress and BJP in Parliamentary segments in the northern districts. The JD(S) is not contesting in these seats and is supporting its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner -- the BJP.
The state has a total of 28 Lok Sabha constituencies. The first phase of polling in 14 seats in most of the southern and coastal districts was held on April 26.
A total of 227 candidates -- 206 men and 21 women -- are in the fray for the second phase.
More than 2.59 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 28,269 polling stations where voting will take place between 7 am to 6 pm.
The segments where elections will be held on Tuesday are: Chikkodi, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Bellary, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Davangere and Shimoga.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had swept all these 14 seats, defeating Congress and JD(S), which were in alliance and ruling the state then.
Having scored a thumping victory in the Assembly elections last year, 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 has held power in the past.
Speaking to PTI, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Meena said adequate security arrangements have been made for Tuesday's polling.
"Around 1.45 lakh polling officials have been deployed across the 14 constituencies. In addition, 35,000 civil police personnel, 65 companies of Central Paramilitary forces and armed police of other states will be deployed for the polling day," he said.
Besides this, 4,000 micro-observers will also be on duty and 17,000 polling stations will be covered by webcasting, he added.
Davangere has the maximum number of 30 candidates, followed by 23 in Shimoga and Raichur has the least number - eight.
Former Chief Ministers Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri) and Jagadish Shettar (Balgaum), Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and Bhagwanth Khuba (Bidar) -- all from BJP; Congress' Geetha Shivrajkumar (Shimoga) -- wife of actor Shivrajkumar and daughter of former CM S Bangarappa and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani (Gulbarga), are among the prominent names in the fray.
Also in the contest are MP and veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa's son B Y Raghavendra, suspended party leader and former Deputy CM K S Eshwarappa -- both from Shimoga, former Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and ex-Minister B Sreeramulu of BJP from Uttara Kannada and Bellary respectively and retired IAS officer G Kumar Naik of Congress from Raichur.
Stakes are high for several Ministers in this phase with their children in fray.
Sons of Ministers Laxmi Hebbalkar and Eshwar Khandre - Mrinal Ravindra Hebbalkar and Sagar Khandre - are contesting from Belgaum and Bidar respectively, while daughters of Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and Shivanand Patil -Priyanka Jarkiholi and Samyukta Patil- are in contention in Chikkodi and Bagalkot respectively.
Prabha Mallikarjun, wife of Minister S S Mallikarjun and daughter-in-law of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa, is in the fray from Davangere.
The Congress' performance in the elections, especially in the second phase which covers almost all Lingayat-dominated districts, is crucial, as the party did not win one of them in 2019, and to also check whether the grand old party has managed to retain the support of a section of Lingayats -- considered as the BJP's core vote-base -- which seemed to have somewhat shifted towards it in the 2023 Assembly polls.
The Lok Sabha election is being seen as a big test of sorts for Congress state unit chief D K 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. The stakes are also high for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as victory in this election is seen as key to strengthening his hands, analysts say.
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 polls, by regaining its traditional Lingayat vote-base.
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 to the post, overlooking seniors and seasoned hands.
The ruling Congress is mostly banking on the implementation of its populist five guarantee schemes while the BJP seems to be leveraging the "Modi factor" to the hilt.
Comments
Ms Shetty,
Question is not about the cancellation of his entry , our question is ADKS being in muslim country how could they even think of inviting such a hate monger and how they even call him a orator and nationalist. such people are termed as hate momgers.
If you dont Understand see the Comment #7Mohammad Abudhabi.
Why Kannada Sanga don't take Quick Action.
Vidya Shetty, could you please explain the ground reality....
As we all aware this is a first try from rss agent to know the impact. Last month they tried in a different way by inviting local ruled family for Hindu Religious function and the chief guest shown his respect and honour to all the gathering and to Hindu religious leader. We all know and understood, it is the humanity and respect to other religions who are residing in their country. But few acting committee members of this function are from rss communal group with their crooked mind and bad intention to create problems in between NRI community.
What qualified peace loving NRI citizens are in UAE for their better prospect and future are well aware of rss communal group and their intention - which NRI 's never allow to succeed. If it is backing by any tycoon or what ever else.
Jai Hind!
thanks Kannada sanga.. for not allowing sulibele.. plz don't make this kind of decision next time because here we all Indians are together.. don't destroy it
Ms.Shetty
It is not hatred, it is just the sheer frustration that is spilled out against the incident. He was very adamant & aloof in the beginning despite our
Kind requests & reminders. It has taken so much effort, energy and trauma to make him change his decision on so called \great orator & Nationalist\""
I really dont understand why these hate commenters are still behind the organisers when they have cancelled Chakravarty Sulibele's visit . I think those who are posting comments neither reading the article nor trying to understand the ground reality.
Those who tried to glorify Sulibele should apologize. In its invitation Kannada sangha portrayed Sulibele as Nationalist Thinker and great orator.
Dear Sarvotham Shetty,
When you know that Sulibele speaks Provocative speech than why even you thought to invite him. you just tried to promote him and Secular minded stopped it.
i'm sure again next year you will invite some other Sangh pariwar leader. this will continue same way if your role models are sanghpariwar scholars.
Sangha Dropped Sulibele from Function. But this action is not clearing our doubts. Need to closely monitor their all activities in UAE and India. Because, how they invited a communal hatemonger to UAE..?? Question is still remaining.. should informed to concerned authority.
It is a known fact that Mr Sarvottam Shetty has friendship with Sangh Parivar leaders. I feel there was Sangha's communal motive behind Soolibele's invitation. But he forgot the fact that he is in a Muslim country. He wouldn't have cancelled Soolibele's speech, had it been in India.
Rajyotsava Award for what ?? What good things he has done to karnataka? Except spreading hatred speeches he has done zero good things. His mind is communal. I appreciate the decision of kannada sangh for not inviting this anti social element.
Great Humiliation and tight slap on the face of Sulibele.
it is not the good will prevailed to Sarvothama,only pressure from all quarters of society forced him to take this decision . He learnt a good lesson. My request to him is -please treat all kannadigas equally with respect, irrespective of their caste,creed or religion.
Still i thank him for the decision taken.
Good, it shows the unity of Kannadigas...
Surprise is how they thought of inviting him despite he is well known for his attitude and quality. This means for kannada sanga he is a noble person.
Dubai janeka sapna adhoora rehgaya.. Naren Khan.. pelase apply visa to singapore to sulibele
We appriciate the step had taken by the organizers.... we are not against hindus we are against communal minded people who divide us in the name of religion for their own benifits... there are many able hindu personalities who has done good job to society call them as chief guest we are more than happy.... dont call such type of communal minded criminals to such a great event.... who will spoil the taste of the event
All Kannadigas requested Sarvothama Shetty to Stop Komuvadi Sulibele.. even
After that Sarvothama Shetty Published The Invitation
That's why all Kannadigas were Disappointed by Sarvothama Shetty.
Finally Good Decision By Kannada Sanga and Sarvothama Shetty.
Bold decision ...............................
as said by some Hindutwa Bhakths .....Indian Cows are only Go matha ....so when Sulibele come outside then his Air will go out
Dear Office bearers of ADKS, “I wholeheartedly appreciate your team for positively responding to the secular Kannadigas request of stopping Sulibele. It is a great gesture.
“By stopping provocative communal Sulibele, the ADKS has upheld the unity of all Kannadigas in UAE.
In future also when you select the speaker kindly review their back ground in order to avoid such embarrassment.
Why these organisations are not calling and fund Mr. Hajabba who is recognised by world? Why these organisations calls Sulibele, Kateel, Shenava and other Muslim haters for events?
Why don't they call Kanhaiya kumar? Why don't they call Odissa man who carried his wife's dead body for miles?
Sarvotham Shetty sir, you proved to be SARVOTHAM in ALL respect and saved the Kannada Sangha Abu Dhabi. Strong lesson to hatemongers and anti-social elements who earns their bread by dividing people on communal lines. B.R. Shetty sir - Please maintain distance from these elements - the love and respect you earned from all sections of Indians should not be allowed to be destroyed by few anti-humans. Long Live Kannada Sangha Abu Dhabi!!!
very good decission by Sangha... Person like Sulibele should not be allowed to enter for secular people's programme who loves peace & harmony among different community... Soolibele is worst person who think about divide & rule by giving hatred speeches against muslims & christians....
There are so many good thinkers in our state who are more eligible for guests... Soolibele is not even fit as a spectator.... Personally i appreciate decision of Sangha for cancelling his arrival....
All the best Sangha & office bearers & NRI ..
\Be United against peace breakers & hatred mongers\""
Thanks Kannada Sanga and Specilaly Sarothama Shetty for Right Decision -But Delay.
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