The contest has been necessitated by the BJP’s ‘Operation Lotus’ that netted Karadi Sanganna of JD(S) in 2010, to bail out the then BS Yeddyurappa government.
Even before he could ensure his own entry into state legislature, chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda has been thrust with an impromptu test. The September 26 by-election for Koppal assembly constituency announced by the election commission has thrown a challenge for Gowda that would test his mettle.
The contest has been necessitated by the BJP’s ‘Operation Lotus’ that netted Karadi Sanganna of JD(S) on March 3, 2010, to bail out the then BS Yeddyurappa government, which was precariously placed.
Karadi Sanganna is almost certain to be the BJP candidate. “In all probability, it will be Karadi Sanganna. Party senior leaders will take a formal decision in this regard within a few days,” party state president KS Eshwarappa said on Sunday.
Former legislator Basavaraj Itnal has emerged the front runner to be Congress candidate. However there are two or three more contenders for Congress ticket and the name would be finalised by the party high command in the next few days, KPCC president G Parameshwar said.
The JD(S), which lost the seat to BJP’s politics of defection, is yet to zero in on its candidate to avenge the humiliation.
However, it is now seen more as a test for Sadananda Gowda’s leadership and vote catching potential as his predecessor BS Yeddyurappa had led the party to resounding victories in all the previous by-elections and also local body elections including the BBMP election.
An upbeat KPCC president G Parameshwar sees the by-poll as the beginning of Congress’ recovery and fall of the BJP citadel. “With former CMs BS Yeddyurappa and HD Kumaraswamy facing the humiliation of standing in the accused box in corruption cases before the courts, people are feeling cheated by BJP and JD(S). The electorate will punish both the parties in the by-election,” says Parameshwar.
Karadi Sanganna would face the wrath of the electorate for deserting them with selfish designs, Parameshwar added.
But his BJP counterpart, Eshwarappa, has a reason to exude confidence. “In Koppal it is not the party, it much about the person for whom the people vote. All these years the people have voted for Karadi Sanganna irrespective of his party affiliation. BJP will win the by-poll without any hiccup,” said Eshwarappa.
It is the first poll test for BJP without the leadership of now tainted Yeddyurappa. It is must win situation for Sadananda Gowda as the defeat could cause more than just a ripple within BJP.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}