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
D
ear KK,
Thank you for highlighting the meaning of DEEPAM.. We Muslims believe in ONE GOD(ALLAH) and we believe ALLAH created all that exists including mankind, animals, jinns and natural universe and associating partners with ALLAH is a Great Sin... To prove that ALLAH has sent many messengers to this earth, the prophets of God conveyed the message of oneness of God and we should worship him alone and not take created things as God. Fire is a creation of God, When we ask or worship the Fire. We ourselves are putting in more danger of going far away from God. Quran is the book which is given to Prophet Muhammad pbuh, the last and final messenger of ALLAH. Quran is still the same without any concoction or addition from that time. We should read the QURAN (quranproject website for better understanding) to undestand and PONDER on its Verses. If U are honest YOU will see the guidance from ALLAH... Lord of the universe. I wish YOu worship NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI (The god that has no image) . Worship the CREATOR not his creation.
I think MUSLIM leaders should honestly say the TRUTH to those who want them to light the DEEPAM and stay away from such rituals... If U think U will not get vote from hindus....Then think all hearts are controlled by Allah. Its easy for ALLAH. Atleast be HONEST and help the community.
Dear KK,
Thank you for highlighting the meaning of DEEPAM.. We Muslims believe in ONE GOD(ALLAH) and we believe ALLAH created all that exists including mankind, animals, jinns and natural universe and associating partners with ALLAH is a Great Sin... To prove that ALLAH has sent many messengers to this earth, the prophets of God conveyed the message of oneness of God and we should worship him alone and not take created things as God. Fire is a creation of God, When we ask or worship the Fire. We ourselves are putting in more danger of going far away from God. Quran is the book which is given to Prophet Muhammad pbuh, the last and final messenger of ALLAH. Quran is still the same without any concoction or addition from that time. We should read the QURAN (quranproject website for better understanding) to undestand and PONDER on its Verses. If U are honest YOU will see the guidance from ALLAH... Lord of the universe. I wish YOu worship NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI (The god that has no image) . Worship the CREATOR not his creation.
I think MUSLIM leaders should honestly say the TRUTH to those who want them to light the DEEPAM and stay away from such rituals... If U think U will not get vote from hindus....Then think all hearts are controlled by Allah. Its easy for ALLAH. Atleast be HONEST and help the community.
Deepam - Lighting the lamp.
HINDUS while performing puja , prayer or any religious function light the deepam. It is the starting of the prayer.
These ghee or oil lamps, called Diyas, are meant for performing Puja according to Hindu customs and rituals.The reason for lighting a lamp or deepam is - Fire is the conveyor of our prayers & sacrifices to the Gods. Fire is also a God of divine knowledge, who leads man to the Gods. He was one of the most important Vedic Gods.
Vedic rituals all involve Agni. Agni is present in many phases of life such as honoring of a birth , prayers , at weddings - the homam where the bride and groom circle the fire seven times known as sapta padi. During death also, fire is required.
Agni is the one who knows all things that are born, created or produced. He is the God of will-power, united with wisdom.By lighting a deepam , fire enables human beings to cultivate strong conviction and belief in God. It helps to develop a meaningful faith and deep devotion to support a dedicated mind towards God.
Before starting our daily prayers, we light the Oil deepam by chanting a shloka
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