SHIVAMOGGA: Even though by-election to Shivamogga, Ballari and Mandya Lok Sabha constituencies and Ramanagara and Jamkhandi Assembly constituencies have been considered a ‘prelude’ to the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and former CM B S Yeddyurappa seem to be more curious about the Shivamogga constituency – the result of which will be out along with other constituencies on Tuesday.
For Kumaraswamy, if the JD(S)-Congress alliance candidate Madhu Bangarappa wins in the stronghold of BJP, the victory may ensure the stability of the government besides strengthening the JD(S) base here, which is otherwise struggling to have a strong presence in the district.
Repeated taunts of BJP leaders that the government would fall after Tuesday has angered Kumaraswamy and Congress leaders. Hence, to defeat the BJP, Kumaraswamy campaigned extensively in the constituency. If Madhu wins, Kumaraswamy will be a relieved man, as he will enjoy the credit of humiliating Yeddyurappa on his turf.
If BJP’s B Y Raghavendra wins, the victory will again make Yeddyurappa unstoppable in the party, besides silencing his critics within as well as outside.Though Yeddyurappa had declared immediately after the announcement of the election that his son would comfortably win and that he would visit Shivamogga only once, he changed that decision.
He was among other leaders of the BJP who campaigned aggressively in the constituency for many days.
At a public meeting in Shivamogga city, Yeddyurappa admitted how important this election was for him, when he said, “We did not plan to hold the meeting, but organised it as JD(S)-Congress leaders held a similar meeting here.”
Ex-minister predicts BJP victory in 3 seats
Mysuru:Former minister V Srinivas Prasad predicted the victory of BJP candidates in three seats, including high-voltage Shivamogga and Ballari Lok Sabha constituencies, in the bypolls held on Saturday. On Sunday, Prasad said: “While the party will win in the byelection to Lok Sabha seats from Shivamogga and Ballari seats, it is known who may win Mandya parliamentary seat.
Similarly the saffron party will win the byelection from Jamkhandi and it is a known fact who will win the Ramnagar seat.” On the aggressive campaigning by the coalition partners, Prasad said: “It indicates that the BJP as a major opposition party is strong in the state. Whatever the results may be, it will not have any bearing on the 2019 general elections.”