Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka: Anti-incumbency gives BJP jitters, confusion hounds Congress-JD(S)

VIJAYAPURA: This reserved constituency presents the squabbling JD(S)-Congress alliance a wonderful opportunity to prove its mettle against the might of the

Narendra Modi-led BJP

. The coalition’s combined strength and assembly segment arithmetic is a potent combination, but that’s on paper. Ground realities suggest the coalition appears set to squander the advantage.


Political greenhorn and alliance candidate Sunita Chavan, wife of Nagathan JD(S) MLA Devanand Chavan, is pitted against BJP’s sitting MP Ramesh C Jigajinagi. Once a Congress stronghold — MB Patil the current state home minister won last in 1998 — the constituency is now a BJP bastion with the present incumbent winning it twice in a row. Jigajinagi shifted his base from the reserved Chikkodi constituency after Vijayapura was reserved for scheduled caste candidates.

Jigajinagi had snared a hattrick in Chikkodi while contesting from three different parties — Lok Shakti in 1998, Janata Dal (United) in 1999 and from the BJP in 2004. It could be seen as an indicator of his popularity or the lack of a serious opponent. But this time, he faces serious anti-incumbency.

Street talk is that Jigajinagi is lucky Modi has been campaigning for him. He is literally being hounded about his contributions. The manna from heaven though is that the coalition is in disarray. It has no coordination committee in place and both parties are campaigning separately, sending out the wrong message to voters. Perhaps, autorickshaws displaying flags of both parties is the only ‘unifying factor’ as far as campaigning is concerned.

The JD(S) has very little presence in the district, but the alliance could have fought this battle on an even keel considering it rules in five of the eight assembly segments. Another factor that could have played into the coalition candidate’s hands is that of women voters. But most women voters in the district may give the novice the cold shoulder, just as it has done other women earlier.

Another factor that may work against the coalition candidate is that the majority of Lingayats, are reportedly miffed with home minister Patil for spearheading the movement for a separate Lingayat religion. This could consolidate Lingayat votes against Sunita. Of the 17 lakh odd voters, about 6 lakh comprise Lingayats, 4 lakh are Dalits, 2.5 lakh Muslims and a lakh each of Kabbaligas, Brahmins and others.