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
These corrupt police officers need to be taught a lesson and only the brave can stand up to them.Mr Poonja is is one of the most reputed and honourable man of the city with a long legacy.not only does Mr Poonja do social service actively but is a man of his words!Congratualtions Mr Poonja for all you have achieved.Wishing you success always!
Mr Poonja is Brother in law of Sharad Shetty, but he looks totally clean and should not be blamed just for this infamous connection leading to D-company but it should be thoroughly probed at the same time.
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Dear George ... we hope that the christian terrorists stop the world activity of terrorising the world peace.. we can see what happened in afghanistan.. iraq and other countries.. world war 2 was by the christians... killed millions of jews.. wake up and stop using words like islamic terrorist..
@rakesh wow am shocked at how narrow minded people are these days.Punish the family for someone else's crime?is that what you are implying?.if you lived in mangalore you would know how famous and well respected Mr Prabhakar Poonja is and everyone knows he
@rakesh your comment shows how ignorant you are!just because sharat shetty took the wrong turn in life doesn't mean family related to him should be seen in the same light! Give you an example just because \Ravana was evil we all very well know \"vibeeshan
some people say prasnna is supplying snake venom (poison).
Is mr Prabhakar poonja in law of infamous Sharad shetty..who was with dawood Ibrahim ..????? Is he the same guy?...please correct if I am wrong .we are well aware that d company threatened venkatesh openly (rashid malabari during court visit).case must be properly probed .
Mr Venkat prasanna is tough cop..who took bold steps against Islamic terrorists ,this case must be probed properly as Islamic terrorist rashid malabari had once threatened to teach lesson to mr prasanna openly as he exposed isi and Muslim underworld nexus in Mangalore.this case must be properly probed .it is well known fact that isi gets boost during congress rule and our strict policers are often targeted .
Venkatesh should be suspended for defaming one of the most important, honourable and respected man like Mr poonja!corrupt police officers like him should be suspended!good job mr poonja for speaking up!
There are plenty of black sheep's in Police department and civil society that cannot be ignored.
i was waiting for this day ,,,,this saffronist police office ...even he is a black spot for them
corrupt officer wearing a facade all this time. while trying to steal from the rich.kudos to Mr Poonja for doing this.This man should be suspended and medals should be revoked.
Anyone saying somethin like if it's planned why would he raid poonja in the first place?..everyone living in mangalore knws it's the oldest and safest hotel there is..prasanna is corrupt and needs to be taught a lesson
At the comments supporting prasanna just remember your supporting corruption as well. Why would a reputed person such as poonja accuse him of such a serious crime he wouldn't get anything other then a long trial at the court for standing up against a corrupt officer .i have heard of such cases against prasanna before it's just that no one ever brought it to light and we should support poonja for doing this. Medal or not corruption and extortion is wrong and since I've heard many stories about him attacking the rich for money poonja's word and repute definitely prevail's over his.also raiding a hotel was wrong anyone living in the city knws it's the oldest and safest one around to the below people who called this planned .please give your justification for the raid then? No one can fake that especially when nothin was found.the raid will definetely be in the records prasanna can't deny that. I hope he's forced to resign we don't need such corrupt officials bullying people
Hoax,unwanted use of bureaucracy,defamtion may proove too costly for mr.venkatesh prassana for defaming one of the most important person of costal region.The district administration should look after this case very closely so that important people of the society like Mr prabakar poonja is not defamed by any burrucant for unwanted reasons
This is fall fake ..
Phrakar poonja is a well known person ..
It's just tht the cops r expecting something from him
Please stop spreading the fake newd
Any way probe in this regards highly recommended as mr. Prassanna track records is not clean.
I am very shocked and disturbed to read this article people like MR Prassana should be imvestigated properly!i know Mr Poonja and Mr Nayak personally they are honest,well reputed business men of the city and such baseless false allegations against them is so shameful and that too without any proof!these police officers are so corrupt they need to be taught a lesson
I am very shocked to read this article,I know mr Poonja and mr Nayak personally and they are very honest and reputed people of the city,so for MR Prassana to harass them is wrong,he is a corrupt police officer and probing needs to be done in this matter before he targets other business men as well!
Suspend Venktesh first
question is not if he has gold medal or not , prasannas name had cropped up in encounter of lawyer shaju which was considered as a fake encounter and investigation is going on .
corruption in police department is not a new thing
Good to see that Mr Poonja has come out in the open and talked about it,people like Prasanna who harass innocent people need to be taught a lesson!they are up to no good and utilise their power to make money!so shameful
Shame..
an investigation should definitely be conducted
This is planned allegation. Mr. Prasanna is a very good gentleman and never ask for any bribe. All politics going on....
Venkatesh prasanna is a hero for local kannada news papers..
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