Shivamogga: BJP, which won 6 out of 7 constituencies last time in the District, is under pressure to maintain its dominance this time, while Congress and JD (S) are on the verge of increasing their strength. Former Legislators Ayanur Manjunath,and K. B. Prasanna Kumar joining JD (S) has strengthened it. The presence of Former MLA Madhu Bangarappa this time has given strength to the Congress. In Shivamogga Constituency, three major parties have fielded candidates from the same community, which has led to stiff competition.
In Shivamogga, Sagar, Bhadravati, and Shikaripura, candidates belonging to the Muslim community have appeared for the fate test. B. K. Vijaya is the only candidate from Janardhana Reddy’s KRPP party in the District. Six women are in the fray from Shivamogga Rural and Bhadravati constituencies. BJP, Congress and AAP have fielded candidates in seven assembly constituencies. There are six candidates from JD (S), one each from SP, BSP and MEP. Apart from Former Chief Minister Yediyurappa and Former Minister Eshwarappa, the remaining five sitting MLAs will again test their luck. Shivamogga constituency has maximum 15 candidates, Theerthahalli has the least five candidates.
With the announcement of political retirement by Eshwarappa, a new face has been introduced as a candidate from the BJP in the constituency this time. Channabasappa, a senior activist and member of the Corporation, is the BJP candidate.
Congress party has fielded youth leader H. C. Yogesh. Former MLA K. B. Prasannakumar left Congress and joined JD (S). Ayanur Manjunath, who was BJP MLA, has resigned from that position and has entered the fray as a JD (S) candidate. The JD (S) has recovered in the constituency with the addition of two former MLAs. The fact that several activists are joining JD (S) along with K. B. Prasannakumar is a headache for Congress. The JD (S) has eyed the majority of the minority votes in the constituency, capitalising on Channabasappa’s staunch Hinduism. All three major candidates belong to the Lingayat community and the votes of this community will also be crucial for the candidate’s victory.
Yediyurappa, who ruled the Shikaripura constituency for four-and-a-half decades, has announced his retirement from electoral politics. His son, State BJP Vice-President B. Y. Vijayendra, is the first-time BJP candidate.
Congress’s Goni Malatesh, has been testing waters for the second time, and has also faced the heat of rebellion. The fact that Nagaraja Gowda who has been deprived of the Congress ticket, has entered the fray as a rebel candidate.
On the other hand, JD (S) did not get a candidate and stayed away from the contest. Congress has extended its support to rebel candidate Nagaraj Gowda. Several workers and leaders of the Congress stood in support of Nagaraj Gowda and the power of the Congress has declined. BJP is hoping that Nagaraj Gowda will prove to be a boon for them. This time there is direct competition between BJP and Congress rebel candidate Nagaraj Gowda.
There are BJP MLAs in six of the seven constituencies in Shivamogga District, the powerhouse of the BJP. Only Bhadravati has Congress MLAs. Notably, the BJP has never registered a victory in Bhadravati. Bhadravati politics is very different from other Assembly constituencies where individual politics is more important than party politics. Mangote Rudresh has been fielded by the BJP, who has not been able to win the constituency so far, and this time the BJP is betting on his victory. For the past 30 years, no one has been able to compete with Sangamesh and Appaji. But this time, in the wake of Appaji’s death, his wife Sharada Appaji Gowda will contest from JD (S). Thus, JD (S) is hoping to benefit from the sympathy wave.
MLA B. K. Sangameshwar will once again contest from the Congress and has started canvassing for development work. This time also there is a direct competition between JD (S) and Congress in the constituency.
Since 1978, Holehonnur Reserve constituency, which existed with Holehonnur Hobli in Bhadravati Taluk as its centre, came into being as Shivamogga Rural Scheduled Caste Reserve Constituency in 2008 when the constituency was reclassified.
Although the number of Dalit voters is high, the votes of the backward classes are also influential in this constituency. BJP has found its base here and the development work done by the sitting MLA K. B. Ashok Naik is a protection for BJP. JDS’ Sharda Poorya Naik, who won in 2013 with the benefit of KJP contest, lost last time. This time Sharda is hoping to win giving tough competition to BJP.
Dr. Karianna’s son, Srinivas Karianna, Former Congress MLA, who did not see victory after the constituency becoming a reserved one is testing his future here from Congress. The people are chanting the mantra of change. Although there is a triangular contest this time, it is evident that there is a stubborn rivalry between the BJP and the JD (S).
Sagar Constituency, which attracted attention through the Kagodu movement, was once a stronghold of the socialists and the socialist-backed Congressmen. The BJP has given ticket to sitting MLA Hartalu Halappa once again and it has brought relief to the BJP that the displeasure of the independents towards him has gradually decreased.
Former Congress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna is in the fray, and Halappa has been giving a tough competition to him due to his vigorous campaigning. Kagodu Thimmappa’s daughter Dr. Rajanandini who was aspirant for Congress ticket joined BJP after denied ticket. K. Divakar who is contesting from Aam Aadmi Party has gained attention, JD (S) has fielded Syed Zakir. Overall direct competition between BJP and Congress is evident.
Araga Jnanendra, who has been a politician in the constituency for 40 years, has poured a stream of grants into the constituency for the first time as a minister. Having contested 9 times and won 4 times, he has announced that this will be his last election. He has entered the fray with the mantra of development.
Kimmane Ratnakar, who is contesting from the Congress, has also campaigned with the trump card of the last election hoping for sympathy. R. M. Manjunath Gowda, who has migrated to Congress, and Kimmane, who has migrated to the Congress, have a close relationship, and the fact that both of them are campaigning together has brought strength to the Congress.
Former Chief Minister Sarekoppa Bangarappa won seven consecutive terms in the Soraba Assembly constituency, which is labeled as a backward region, and was an MLA for three decades. The Devars and Lingayats have a majority in this constituency which has been in the grip of the Bangarappa family since the beginning.
In 2004, Soraba Constituency witnessed the fight between Bangarappa’s sons for the first time. Since then, the jugalbandi of the two sons has been going on. It is almost certain that this time too there will be a fight between the brothers. Madhu Bangarappa who was in JD (S) joined Congress and became a candidate. Kumar Bangarappa, who is contesting from the BJP, has been keeping a distance from the original BJP members since the beginning. ‘Namo Vedike’ , which was formed against him, claimed to defeat Kumar. There is an anti-incumbency wave in the constituency, which is a plus point for Madhu Bangarappa.
Even though Chandra Gowda Basur is in the contest from JD (S), direct competition is evident between Congress and BJP.