Karnataka bypolls, a prestige battle for Siddaramaiah, DKS and HDK

BENGALURU: With all three major parties in the state finalising their candidates, the Nov 13 assembly bypolls are shaping up to be a significant battle of prestige. The results of these elections will not threaten the govt, since Congress has a brute majority in the state, but the governing party — BJP and JD(S) too —are under immense pressure to assert their influence amid ongoing corruption allegations primarily directed at chief minister Siddaramaiah.
Three assembly seats — Sandur, Shiggaon, and Channapatna — are at stake, with the parties holding one each. Retaining these seats is crucial for all three parties as their brass — Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar (Congress), HD Kumaraswamy (JDS) ) and BY Vijayendra (BJP) — face unique challenges. BJP called it a referendum on Congress' "corruption", while Congress says it will be a statement against BJP's "vindictive politics".
"Congress is trying to suggest that these bypolls are inconsequential, but they are significant since the outcome will be the people's mandate against Congress' corruption and misrule," Vijayendra said. "We are confident NDA will win all the three seats."
He said there is a "growing wave of anti-incumbency" against Congress, citing several alleged scams, including the Muda case and the Valmiki ST Development Corporation money transfer scandal. BJP aims to leverage a favourable outcome as a springboard for momentum ahead of the next assembly elections.
"People are fed up with the lack of development and financial crisis that reflects in the mounting dues for civil contractors, milk producers, MLAs for development work, and others," Vijayendra said. "Congress too is ridden with internal conflict. I would not be surprised if the govt falls on its own after these bypolls."
Siddaramaiah, who is embroiled in the Muda case, has high personal stakes. Should Congress win all three seats, it would be an effective counter to BJP's accusations and reaffirm credibility of his govt. Shivakumar, deputy CM and Congress state president, has focused efforts on Channapatna to showcase his influence over the Vokkaliga vote bank. Recent defections, including Yogeshwar from BJP, have bolstered the party's campaign, but it has its task cut out.
KA Tippeswamy, senior MLC and JD(S) election coordinator, said, "These bypolls are significant in view of establishing the relevance of the BJP-JD(S) alliance in the state ahead of the next assembly polls. This relevance will be made clear as we are confident of the alliance winning all three seats."
The contest in Sandur appears close, with Congress fielding E Annapurna, wife of Bellary MP E Tukaram, against BJP's Bangaru Hanumantha, a rookie. Shiggaon is also expected to be highly competitive, where Congress has nominated Yaseer Khan Pathan amid calls for a Panchamasali representative against BJP's Bharath Bommai. But observers point out that BJP has had much success in the constituency against Muslim candidates in the past.
"These bypolls will be the people's mandate against BJP's vindictive politics," said GC Chandrashekhar, Congress state working president. "Voters will show their will against the Centre's plot to destabilise our govt by misusing central agencies."