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
It's a Sunna of prophet when there is lack of rain to pray to Allah. Is there any one in this earth a sky who can bring rain other than allah? A Stones sculpture can barely get rid of a crow sitting on its head , forget about bringing a rain or giving sustainance to this world.
Dear Brother's,
Prakash,Mahesh,Rajeev,Yogesh.We dont blame you people Because its shows your Ignorance.All your Question will be answered one Day.In sha allah.
Try to learn about Islam before you Comment.Later should not say that no one guided you people about Islam.
May almighty allah bless you all and show you all the TRUTH path.So that you can save your self from hell fire.
Mangaluru is Parashurama shristi and not Brahma srishti. Lord parashurama reclaimed this land from sea and blessed this land will be free from drought and natural calamities as long as there would be his believers. So chill , This is May month, don't worry it will start raining at right time, till then let us love and care for all humans and living beings
Only God will give rain. Pray with him. Dear Yogesh, according to you rain will not come without planting tree? Then how come raining heavy in Saudi Arabia these days??? Don't be foolish. Pray with god. Don't depend on forecast. Where were they while Tsunami coming?? Did they informed to humanity about the earth quack and tsunami???
Yogesh/khuswanth or funk,go and marry to donky monkey and crab fool pepole study islam and secure your body from hell.shame on you telling cow is mother .......
Dear Yogesh,
You seem to have little knowledge, just your planting one tree will not save the world. Road developers and Electrical Contractors are cutting so much trees even Lord Indra also can not bring rain to the earth. Just for sake of commenting and Satisfying your itch do not comment. If this prayer do not harm any one and may be if there is a divine blessing what is harm.
O Allah, Shower Upon us Abundant Rain, Beneficial Not Harmful, Swiftly and Not Delayed.
We should go back to God for natures anger....praying Allah is best way to over come problems around...specially water is very essential for human kind if it does not rain, human kind cannot live so pray for him...he is sympathetic and kind...pray as much as you can...he will help overcome problems....
Dear Brothers,
Prakash, Mahesh, rajesh, rajeev, yogesh, kushwant bhat.... we muslim are seeking help from Allah for rain, raining or not raining is his wish..... its our duty to ask help from allah.....you chaddi minded people first change your mentality from sanghi to a human being.... then you will know what is religion and what is islam.
Sins of human being is the main cause for all the clamity human beings face these days. The best way to clear it up is by asking forgiveness from your creator. The people who have studied little bit of science will laugh and mock when people who have little bit of knowledge of his creator ask for forgiveness from him. In 21st century humans have excelled in science, going to space, rockets, tecnology, flying, construction but lost humanity, humility, trustfullness, truthness, spirtual. Its high time to ask forgiveness from Almighty Allah before you return to him. Lot of people won;t beleive in god his angels, his revelation, but they will definately belive in death.
Maintaining the ecological balance is definitely important. And it is important to realize the value of the trees. The cut down of trees happening in the name of development should be looked into closely. The Valencia Jeppu road for example. All the trees were chopped down in the name of creating a double road. We should ask ourself, was it required? That stretch usually doesn't have so much traffic that we had to chop the trees. Let's say for argument sake that this was needed, we still had so much place left to build those additional area required for road. Leaves us with one question, Is this development or destruction?
These brothers are atleast praying to the creator of all things for Rain. This is sensible enough to accept for those who believe in a Lord/God/creator.
But,
What about those who arrange marriages with Donkey, Monkey, Dogs etc.. for Rain.? I think you guyz should try and educate them.
Dear All, specially those mockers OR disbelievers
For instance in Mangalore more than 90% believe in God by their own way,
No doubt, sure these people pray their version of God for their every need. It does not mean every prayer is immediately responded. Praying is our duty and the reply is upto God how he wants to hear it.
Think these Muslims also did their duty leaving the action to the God. Who knows there can be 1true person who is admired by the God to his fullest contentment/ satisfaction.
No Idols
No saints
No animals
No urine
No pictures
No statues...
No MAN made GODs (FAKE GODS)
WE Muslims pray to ALLAH, the lord of the heavens and Earth. ALLAH is the OWNER of this EARTH. it is HE who gives RAIN and it is HE who brings the dead earth to LIFE... similarly our LIFE.
WE muslims Believe in the Unseen world which is around us..and it is explained in the QURAN...
There are many things which QURAN mentions to PONDER. Some people IGNORE what is said in the QURAN..
Whatever said in the QURAN have come TRUE and there are some issues QURAN explained and SCIentist have not come across. which IN-SHAA ALLAH will surely be shown to MANKIND...
ALLAH gives RAIN and it is in his Hands..
Now WE see in DESERT there is water and India is full of GReenery & Rivers still WE see water scarcity.
Recognise your lord ALLAH and dont fall to man made created things... Worship the CREATOR and not his CREATION
The prophets bring truth, when disbelivers done same as above some commentors. This is all timing happening. But these commeators should understand pooling tendor coconut,frog marrige,dog marriage ect.. theses are all the highest level of supersticion. Mr. ur get any message from rain will next week rains????????
Dear Friends, Do not mock people praying to their Lord.
In Islam there is always two level approach, first we have to do the acts using all the resources at hand, including, in this case planting trees, then we have to hope for the best by spiritually connecting to the Lord. You and I cannot bring rain, this is hard truth. if anyone says that I have control over the rain, then he has to be a foolish. Rain, growth of plants and bearing fruits that we eat, are beyond human scope. What we can best do is that we can do the work using all the modern technology and knowledge and connect to the Lord of the World to make it happen. If only rely on the technology and knowledge, then there should not be drought anywhere, there should be earthquakes anywhere, there should not be excess rain anywhere, there should not be tsunami anywhere...
Alhumdulillah good gathering, no one take credit for rain. If rain start it will not say Muslim prayed so rain will b poured on Muslim house. If we cannot do good we do not have right to object it. Plant tree first then say to other. Pray for betterment of our society. Better reframe from negative thinking nd work for betterment of our country
May Allah put mercy on all humanity & fulfill scarcity of water around us...
Dear Brothers... Instead of blaming someone better you look at yourself... What you have done for the human being... Did anyone here try to stop cutting trees or plant trees around your location...? Most of the comments shows like they belong to trouble mongers groups.. They will never think about society development & build peace & harmony among different community... First of all learn to respect each other...
Try to learn teaching of Quran & power of Islam.. May Allah give you all Hidaya... Aameen.
Parakashanna, these people not believing the Miracles, then how comes next week rain??? better bring water in Choppers like Uttarakand, then declare we are the winners!!!!
Wonderful muslim brothers. keep it up good work for the society.
O ALLAH send us rain'\ O ALLAH send us rain\" O ALLAH send us rain\""
Plant tree all over. that will be better idea.
Good work, Muslim brothers. humanity still alive
next week rain will come dont worry.
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