Karnataka Assembly Elections: Big stakes at stake in these seats, check list

high voltage campaign for Assembly elections in Karnataka on May 10 The election will end on Monday as all the three major political parties in the state – BJP, Congress and JD(S) – are busy in their last ditch moves to woo the voters.

Top leaders of all major political parties were on the campaign trail across the state in the last few days, even as the ruling BJP attempts to break the 38-year-old pattern of alternate governments and retain its southern stronghold.

The Congress, on its part, is working hard to wrest power from the BJP to give itself much-needed elbow room and momentum to establish itself as the main opposition player in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Former JD(S) leadership Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda Wishing to emerge as a “King” rather than a “Kingmaker” in the hope of gaining the numbers needed to form a government on his own, he had thrown all his might into the election campaign.

Karnataka Elections: Important Constituencies

Varun

Varuna constituency will be closely watched in the form of two rivals with Lingayat support for the seat – Siddaramaiah of the Congress and V Somanna of the BJP.

While speculation is rife that Siddaramaiah may compete for the post of Chief Minister of Karnataka, Somanna will play his appeal within the Lingayat mutts as well. In return, Siddaramaiah will try to appease his Lingayat voter base in the Mysore region.

What can go wrong for the Congress? BJP’s Somanna in Varuna constituency is considered a bridge between Vokkaligas and Lingayats. On the other hand, Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra is a household name, known as ‘Doctor’ in Varuna.

Kanakpur

high profile contest between Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar And State Revenue Minister R Ashok will campaign in Kanakpur.

Ashok, a prominent Vokkaliga face in the BJP in the Shivakumar bastion of the Congress, has been fielded by the saffron party to oppose the Congress leader.

Shivakumar, who has made a name for himself as an alternative to Deve Gowda, is a dynamic leader with wide appeal. He has also been a frequent guest at Vokkaliga and Lingayat events.

Leader R Ashok, 65, has carefully crafted his image as the tallest Vokkaliga leader in the party. Ashok Yediyurappa became Deputy Chief Minister in the cabinet when the BJP formed its first Karnataka government with an absolute majority in 2008. He holds the record for the largest electoral victory from the largest constituency when he won the erstwhile Uttarahalli seat in 2004 with over 84,000. vote.

Channapatna

The Channapatna assembly seat is currently held by JD(S) chief and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy. The JD(S) is unlikely to muster the numbers for a majority government, but could turn out to be the kingmaker. The Channapatna seat will be a prestige battle for Kumaraswamy, who has been undefeated since 2004.

Shigaon

Shiggaon is the seat of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, which is necessary and desirable for the Congress. However, ever since Bommai, a soft-spoken, outspoken leader, took over as chief minister, he has been accused of mismanagement and corruption, leading to a sense of power in Karnataka.

Shikaripuria

Shikaripuria, the constituency of former chief minister and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, will be an interesting watch as the former CM announced his retirement from electoral politics this year.

The seat will now be contested by his son BY Vijayendra, vice-president of the Karnataka BJP, while the Congress has fielded GB Malthesh from Shikaripuria constituency.

Chikmagalur

The winner of this seat since 2004 is the traditional seat of BJP National General Secretary CT Ravi, this time the Congress has fielded HD Thamayya in the hope of victory. The JD(S) has fielded BM Thimma Shetty, who contested the last election as an independent candidate.