Chikkaballapur, Apr 24:
As the Lok Sabha election in Chikkaballapur approaches, the political atmosphere is charged with anticipation. The contest is shaping up to be one of the most crucial electoral battles in the region, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress vying for victory.
The BJP’s campaign has been given a robust momentum by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Deve Gowda’s joint canvassing. However, the party remains wary of the Congress’ promise of guarantee schemes.
In contrast, Congress workers are optimistic, highlighting the party’s strong presence with six out of eight segments in the constituency represented by Congress MLAs. They believe that the appeal of the Congress’ guarantee schemes will further bolster their electoral prospects.
Both parties are deploying a range of strategies, from strategic alliances to grassroots campaigning and welfare promises, to woo voters. The BJP’s alliance with the JD(S) and the Congress’ community-focused approach are expected to be pivotal in shaping the electoral dynamics.
Dr K Sudhakar, the BJP’s candidate, initially faced internal dissent within the party due to his involvement in the 2019 “Operation Lotus.” However, a joint campaign by Modi and former PM Deve Gowda has reinvigorated the alliance’s efforts. Sudhakar’s campaign focuses on transforming neighbouring towns into satellite cities and supporting flower farmers in the region.
Meanwhile, Congress candidate Raksha Ramaiah’s campaign emphasises the state government’s community outreach programmes and addresses the need to improve literacy rates in the constituency.
Chikkaballapur, situated along the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border, has historically been a Congress stronghold. The constituency boasts a diverse demographic, with the Vokkaliga community wielding significant influence, along with Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Lingayat, Balija, and minority voters.
While the Congress has dominated Chikkaballapur for most of the past decades, winning the seat multiple times, the BJP made significant inroads in 2019, marking a shift in the political landscape.
As Chikkaballapur prepares to vote in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the stage is set for a closely watched electoral contest. With both parties intensifying their efforts to secure victory, the interplay of alliance dynamics, candidate performance, and local issues is likely to be pivotal in determining the election’s outcome.
