In Karnataka’s realm, the erstwhile Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will embark on a campaign trail, focusing keenly on pivotal territories such as Bijapur and Bellary come April 26, coinciding with the electoral battle for 14 constituencies in the southern province. The subsequent 14 constituencies will undergo the electoral process on May 7.
“Rahul Gandhi is poised to conduct campaign activities in the Bijapur and Bellary districts on April 26. Our party’s campaign endeavors are robust, nurturing aspirations of clinching a minimum of 20 constituencies,” conveyed AICC’s Karnataka overseer, Abhishek Dutt.
In the reserved Bijapur constituency, BJP’s incumbent Ramesh Jigajinagi finds himself in contention against Congress’s Raju Algur. The venerable party places its reliance on the six legislators within the precincts to secure victory in the national polls, albeit with a lingering apprehension regarding the electoral inclination of the Banjara community towards the Congress. Historically, the Congress has fielded candidates hailing from the Banjara community, yet this time, a Dalit candidate, Algur, has been nominated.
Furthermore, the Congress leans on the accomplishments of the Siddaramaiah administration over the bygone year. Such confidence was so pronounced in Bijapur that the candidacy of Algur was announced even before the formal declaration of poll dates.
In the annals of 2019, BJP’s Ramesh Jigajinagi emerged triumphant over JD-S’s Sunita Chavhan. While the Congress and JD-S formed an alliance in the preceding national elections, the regional faction has since aligned with the BJP in 2024.
In Bellary, renowned for its mineral-rich terrain, Congress’s E Tukaram contends against BJP’s B Sriramulu. The 2019 national elections witnessed BJP’s Y Devendrappa prevailing over Congress’s VS Ugrappa.
Once upon a time, former Congress luminary Sonia Gandhi vanquished BJP’s Sushma Swaraj in the 1999 national elections. However, the tides have turned, with the recent inclusion of mining tycoon G Janardhan Reddy into the BJP fold. The Congress has, in response, raised doubts about the BJP’s stance on corruption, given the numerous pending cases against Reddy.
In the 2019 national polls, the Congress contested alongside JD-S, vying for 21 out of 28 constituencies. Despite a formidable BJP wave securing 25 seats, the grand old party managed to secure Bengaluru Rural. JD-S, on the other hand, contested seven seats, only clinching one.
Presently, Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah has pledged to the central leadership that the Congress will secure a minimum of 20 out of 28 seats. Given the closely contested terrain of Karnataka, the Congress strategists have adopted a comprehensive four-pronged approach to counter the BJP’s influence in the southern province.
“Party stalwarts such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi are traversing the state on the campaign trail. They assail the BJP from myriad angles, while our state leadership endeavors to canvass across all constituencies. Rahul Gandhi’s assertive campaigning, particularly his forays into Bijapur and Bellary, bodes well for our prospects,” opined Congress Working Committee’s permanent invitee, BK Hari Prasad..
“In contrast, the BJP’s campaign is primarily spearheaded by PM Modi and HM Shah. Moreover, while our leaders address pertinent issues such as unemployment and inflation, they indulge in divisive rhetoric surrounding Hindu-Muslim relations, as well as culinary preferences, which exacerbate societal schisms,” he remarked.
“The grassroots leaders have toiled indefatigably. Despite the BJP’s attempts at electoral polarization, the electorate remains discerning. Our social welfare initiatives, notably the women’s empowerment programs, have made significant inroads in the region,” asserted senior leader and Congress’s nominee from Bijapur in the 2014 national polls, Prakash Rathod, speaking.