Cong-JD(S) takes on BJP in N Karnataka

BENGALURU: As the campaigning for the second phase of

Lok Sabha polls

drew to a close on Sunday, the question uppermost in everybody’s mind was: Can the Congress-JD(S) combine upset BJP’s applecart in north Karnataka?


Five years ago, the party won 11 of the 14 parliamentary constituencies riding on the Modi wave and state BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa’s influence over the Lingayat community spread across the region. This time, the BJP is hoping to repeat the performance, riding on Modi’s name and support of Lingayats once again.

But the Congress and JD(S) pose a formidable challenge to the BJP this time. Unlike in south Karnataka, the Congress and the JD(S) have coalesced well as poll partners in north Karnataka and campaigned for the alliance soon after the first phase of the polls. Of the 14 constituencies, the Congress has fielded candidates in 11 and the JD(S) in three.

By avoiding a three-corner fight, the Congress and JD(S) have also prevented a vote bank split and potential losses. The alliance appears to be giving the BJP a run for its money in Shivamogga, Bagalkot, Bidar and Koppal constituencies, all BJP strongholds.

The allies are also confident of retaining Chikkodi, Ballari, Kalaburagi and Raichur seats, capitalising on internal squabbling in the BJP. With the support of JD(S), the Congress wrested the BJP’s bastion of Ballari in a bypoll last year.

“Political equations have changed a lot since 2014,” said a senior Congress leader, who expressed confidence that the coalition would win eight seats in north Karnataka. “Also, Modi himself has lost some sheen now compared to five years ago and with age not on his side, Yeddyurappa can no longer be expected to change the party’s fortunes single-handedly.”

The Congress is largely banking on its rank and file, and had moved all its influential leaders to the north. Former chief minister Siddaramaiah, who has a large clout over Ahinda voters and Congress master strategist DK Shivakumar and chief minister HD Kumaraswamy have left no stone unturned while campaigning for candidates fielded by the alliance.

Despite its obvious strengths, the alliance partners will face some tests at the polls. Unlike south Karnataka, where both the Congress and JD(S) have a strong presence, the latter has no strong vote base in north Karnataka, barring in some pockets. Of 37 JD(S) MLAs, only six were elected from north Karnataka including Mumbai Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka.

There are also hints of some Congress leaders — especially in Chikkodi, Kalaburagi and Ballari — working slyly to help the BJP. Barring Shivamogga, Vijayapura and Raichur, it will be a straight contest between the BJP and Congress in all north Karnataka constituencies.