Raichur district is a mixed bag of sorts. Formerly a Congress stronghold, the BJP and, more recently, the JD(S) have made inroads in this district. One of the most backward districts in the state, Raichur’s seven Assembly constituencies still play a decisive role in the race to power in the state.
Raichur
Two-time MLA Syed Yasin of Congress faces new entrants to politics and youths this time. A record number of 21 candidates are in the fray. Normally, Syed Yasin’s traditional opponents were former minister M S Patil, M Eeranna and Ahuja Papareddy. This time, all of them are out of the race. BJP candidate Trivikram Joshi, JD(S) candidate Shivaraj Patil, KJP’s Basavaraj Kalasa, BSP’s Hares Siddiq, JD-U’s Noor Mohammed and BSR Congress candidate Pooja Gandhi are all young and energetic. Even the independents have taken the election very seriously. Muslims play a major role here as they are in considerable number.
Raichur Rural
The controversial Shivanagouda Nayak managed to get a BJP ticket for his cousin Thipparaju here. Though Thipparaju is a new man here, the people here have never selected a local person as their representative. Sitting MLA and Congress candidate Rayappa Nayak faces anti-incumbency. JD(S) has fielded his brother Amaresh Nayak as its nominee. Considering his rigorous campaign, Thipparaju seems to be ahead in the race.
Manvi
Incumbent and Congress candidate Hampayya Nayak is solely dependent on his mentor KPCC general secretary Boseraju. KJP’s Gangadhar Nayak, BSR Congress’ Basangouda Daddal and BJP’s Ayyamma are struggling hard to snatch the seat from Hampayya. Interestingly, Hampayya is the father-in-law of Gangadhar. Though district BJP president Basangouda Byagwat is from Manvi taluk, he does not seem interested in local politics. Instead, he has concentrated his efforts on the Raichur BJP candidate.
Maski
After delimitation, Maski got Prathapgouda Patil of BJP as its first MLA. Now, he has switched over to Congress. His cousin Mahadevappa Gouda is contesting on a KJP ticket. It is to be seen if Patil will win the hearts of the people again.
Sindhanur
Congress bigwig Hampangouda Badarli seems to be quite comfortable here though incumbent and JD(S) MLA Venkatrao Nadagouda and KJP’s Rajashekhargouda, Kariyappa of BSR Congress and BJP’s Sheshagirirao are in the fray.
Telugu-speaking voters are in considerable number here and are likely to play a major role. However, Sheshagirirao may cut into some of these votes while Kuruba votes may go to Kariyappa due to the influence of his cousin and former MP Virupaxappa.
Lingsugur
In this SC reserved constituency, Manappa Vajjal, who had won the seat on a BJP ticket last time, has now jumped to JD(S). The Congress, which had announced the ticket to Pamayya Murari earlier, abruptly gave it to Durgappa. This has irritated the Cheluvadi community.
Though Murari was pacified by Union Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, his brother H B Murari, riding on a KJP ticket, is likely to benefit from this controversy.
Devadurga
Former MP Venkatesh Nayak was surprised when Congress announced his name as its candidate, as he had not even thought of it, leave alone apply for it. But the Congress had no option but to field him as his grandson and Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Shivangouda Nayak had challenged that he would wipe out the Congress in this taluk.
This was evident in the recent ULB polls. Meanwhile, KJP candidate Shantanagouda is making all-out efforts to expose the malpractice of BJP. JD(S) has not dared to field a candidate against Shivangouda.