On a hat-trick, Congress’ M Veerappa Moily is up against BJP’s Bachegowda

CHIKKABALLAPURA: Senior Congress leader

M Veerappa Moily

faces perhaps the toughest election test of his life. The two-time MP from Chikkaballapura will have to overcome some serious challenges, including the anti-incumbency factor and a strong rival, to grab a hat-trick in the

Vokkaliga-dominated constituency

.


Moily will face off against former minister BN Bachegowda, who the BJP views as its best bet to open its account in the constituency. Chikkaballapura has eight assembly se gments spread over Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural and Bengaluru Urban districts. Congress holds five segments, JD(S) two and BJP one. But the political undercur rents linked to coalition politics and the caste factor tell another story.

The Congress had a firm hold on Chikkaballapura since the constituency’s formation in 1977. But in the 2014, Moily narrowly won with a margin of about 9,000 votes in a triangular fight involving JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy and Bachegowda. Many locals believe that votes of Vokkaligas got divided between Kumaraswamy and Bachegowda, who are from the same community, indirectly helping Moily avoid a defeat.

This time, Moily faces a direct contest with Bachegowda. The pattern in which Vokkaligas will vote is expected to be a crucial factor. The coalition partners have adopted the strategy of seeking voters’ support in the name of Vokkaliga leaders, mainly Kumaraswamy, DK Shivakumar and some local figures. The preferences of the Balija community, which is also a prominent group, Dalits and minorities will also influence the outcome of the election.

Water for drinking and irrigation, unemployment, which is forcing youths to migrate to towns, and healthcare are some of the burning issues in the constituency, which is about an hour’s drive from the city. Bachegowda told TOI that addressing water woes and unemployment were his focus areas, apart from getting a super-speciality hospital and a higher education centre to the district. “I don’t see any JD(S) influence in the constituency. Congress is my opponent here,” he said.

At 79, Moily is leaving no stone unturned to retain the seat. “People have recognised my work, including bringing water through the Yettinahole project to quench the thirst of Chikkaballapur and surrounding areas,” Moily said.