Rahul Gandhi’s Kerala entry instils confidence in Karnataka Congress

BENGALURU: The political corridors of Karnataka are busy debating on the possible ramifications of AICC president Rahul Gandhi’s candidature from his second seat in Kerala’s Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. Wayanad district shares its border with Karnataka to the north and Tamil Nadu to the east. “Besides reinforcing the party in Kerala, Rahul would send the right signal to people in the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu too,” a Congress leader said.
While Kerala will go to polls on April 23, Karnataka will cast its votes on April 18 and 23.Rahul’s entry into Kerala has also forced the opposition BJP to reassess its strategy in the two border constituencies of Chamarajanagar and Mysuru-Kodagu, which it was hitherto hopeful of winning. “Rahul can also help the party counter the possible shortfall of seats in Karnataka, where it is fighting the polls in alliance with the JD(S),” said a senior Congress leader.
“In a strategically fought election, Congress candidates have a fair chance to win Mysuru-Kodagu and Chamarajanagar. But Rahul in Wayanad will be a huge morale booster to party workers in the two districts, where they are struggling to strike the right chord with alliance partner JD(S),” another leader said.
The BJP leaders, however, claim that Rahul’s entry into Kerala will have no impact on Karnataka or Tamil Nadu. In fact, they claim it would help the party to rake up some controversial issues and help the cause of their candidates.
The issue of road and rail connectivity between the two neighbouring states may again crop up with the entry of Rahul. People travelling between Kerala and Karnataka have been facing an ordeal as road connectivity is affected because of the night traffic ban. The Centre had proposed to build a 2-km flyover through Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The state government had almost decided to go ahead with the plan, but dropped it at the last minute following protests by wildlife activists in Karnataka. There is also a proposal to build a railway line between Mysuru and Thalassery in Kerala via Kodagu.
Kerala has been mounting pressure on Karnataka government to lift the night traffic ban or allow building elevated roads through the reserve. “We will be forced to tell the people that the flyover may come true of Congress candidates are elected,” a BJP leader said.
Notwithstanding protests and campaigns, the previous Congress government in Karnataka had given permission to install high power transmission line between Mysuru and Kozhikode via Kodagu leading to axing of 50,000 trees.
Political analysts, however, feel Rahul contesting from Wayanad would have minimum effect on the party’s fortunes in Karnataka. “The politics of Karnataka even in border areas is not really influenced by what happens in neighbouring states. This explains the limited influence of AIADMK/DMK, LDF, TDP and YSR Congress,” said Prof Sandeep Shashtri.
“Rahul is contesting from Wayanad more out of fear of losing Amethi than the idea of reaching out to the southern audience. Rahul contesting at Karnataka’s doorstep will definitely help bond the warring factions in the Congress and galvanise them. But this really won’t matter to the voters in Karnataka,” said Vishwas Shetty, another analyst.