Tough Competition in the Karwar LS Constituency

Excerpt from the news report from Deccan Herald:
Pluses and minuses

The “Modi wave” seems to be working in this constituency to some extent as NaMo brigades were formed in villages much before the elections were announced. Though Hegde faces anti-incumbency at most places, he may still get many votes as workers of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar have been seeking votes in Modi’s name. The BJP had won four Assembly seats in 2008, but just one in 2013.

For Prashant, his father’s sway over the region may come in handy, and he has tried to engage with people in the last five years through social service. He is also known to be polite and highly educated. The Congress workers are also highlighting the State government’s schemes. But there are many sections which do not like the elder Deshpande, saying he did not do much for the constituency despite being a minister for several years. “The Hindutva Hegde is talking about will not bring development. Voters know that it was R V Deshpande who brought investments worth Rs 1,200 crore to the district,” claimed MLC, Shrikanth L Ghotnekar of the Congress. But BJP leader Raju Dhooli from Haliyal has asserted that Deshpande “failed” to develop the district. For Deshpande, his son’s victory appears to be a “prestige issue”. He also roped in Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to address a rally at Sirsi. Besides, the Congress has four MLAs and the support of independent MLAs. Both the parties face factionalism, a fact they deny. Margaret Alva’s son Nivedith aspired for the Congress ticket. Though Nivedith and his supporters have been canvassing for Prashant, their efforts are being seen as “half-hearted”. In the BJP, politicians are canvassing for Modi and not the candidate.

The issues being discussed are rehabilitation of the displaced, CRZ, filling tanks with Kali water, widening of national highway, the rumoured ban on areca nut, environmental concerns, protection of forest dwellers’ interests and railway line projects. At present, the Congress and the BJP seem to be ahead in only one or two Assembly segments, and equally placed in the rest.

Daijiworld has this to say:

A survey conducted by a prominent Kannada daily in association with C fore has predicted that the voters of Karnataka will not be totally swept off their feet by Modi wave, unlike some other states. As per the calculations made based on opinions  put together under this survey, the 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state are expected be shared by the three major political parties, Congress (14), BJP (12), and JD(S) (2).


If the prediction made by this survey comes true, Congress will gain seven seats as compared to the previous Lok Sabha election, at the cost of BJP. It is being analyzed that the voters, in spite of having been frustrated at the lackadaisical performance of the union government, have continued to favour Congress because of the internal bickering within the BJP. Congress will possibly wrest back its prominence in Old Mysore and Hyderabad Karnataka regions of the state as per the survey, which says that the Congress is likely to win 11 out of the 14 seats. The fact that Siddaramaiah is the chief minister, and Hyderabad Karnataka has been covered under section 371J, are likely to score major points for the Congress. JD(S) will have to be content with only a token presence, as the survey has given it an edge only in Hassan and Tumkur constituencies.

The BJP, which suffered an ignominious defeat in the assembly election because of parting of ways with Yeddyurappa last time, is expected to perform well in Bangalore, Mumbai-Karnataka, and central Karnataka regions. Out of the three seats it won from the state capital last time, BJP is predicted to retain two. BJP is set to lose Bangalore (central), Bellary, Udupi-Chikmagalur, Bidar, Raichur, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga and Tumkur constituencies, as the voters are unhappy with the functioning of current incumbents, the survey analyses. On religion and caste-based calculations, minorities, backward classes, and dalits are likely to support the Congress, as Siddaramaiah is projected as their hope. Vokkaliga votes will go to BJP wherever JD(S) does not have strong footing. A large number of voters surveyed felt that Congress can improve its chances in the election by giving the post of deputy chief minister to Dr Parameshwar. However, more people have preferred Narendra Modi to become the prime minister, as compared to Rahul Gandhi, with only a miniscule percentage choosing Arvind Kejriwal.

All said, now  we can only wait and watch. Amongst everyone, we Hope and Pray this time our Nation Wins!!