Date:16/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051653910400.htm

Karnataka

Mahima locked in a multi-cornered contest in Chennagiri segment

Staff Correspondent

Constituency has 1,54,500 voters
Mahima Patel defeated Rajanna
in 2004

Mahima Patel

DAVANGERE: Will the “Gandhian” approach adopted by Mahima Patel, president of the Suvarna Yuga Party, bear fruit in the multi-cornered contest in Chennagiri?

Mr. Patel is one of the four contenders in the fray. He adopted a unique way of electioneering by going on fast and appealing to the people to support him.

Mr. Patel won the 2004 elections from Chennagiri, which was earlier represented by his father J.H. Patel, former Chief Minister.

J.H. Patel was defeated by an independent candidate Vadnal Rajanna in 1999, and in the 2004 elections Mr. Mahima Patel defeated Mr. Rajannna.

Political detractors of Mr. Patel said he won the polls because of the sympathy generated following the death of J.H. Patel. Mr. Rajanna revolted against the BJP after being denied the ticket and contested the 1999 elections as an independent candidate.

Mr. Rajanna later joined the Congress and is now that party’s candidate from Chennagiri.

Madal Veerupakshappa, BJP candidate, was earlier a zilla panchayat member.

Siddeshwar, Davangere MP, campaigned for Mr. Veerupakshappa, who is contesting the elections for the third time now.

He tasted defeat in the last two elections.

Hodigere Ramesh is the Janata Dal (S) candidate and he was once a follower of Mr. Mahima Patel.

It was Mr. Patel who brought Mr. Ramesh, a zilla panchayat member, to political limelight.

Asked why he did not join the Suvarna Yuga Party, Mr. Ramesh said that more than Mr. Patel the party was important to him.

He said he still respected Mr. Patel as an individual but would not approve of the principles of his “guru,” who many times took impractical steps. Janata Dal (S) leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy campaigned for Mr. Ramesh in Chennagiri.

While Mr. Patel is on fast on the banks of Shantisagar tank, his wife and other family members, and his close followers are campaigning for him.

They visited villages and organised public meetings too.

A drama troupe from Bangalore was brought to Chennagiri and it staged plays in many villages: the message delivered was that people should vote for Mr. Patel.

There are 1,54,500 voters in the constituency.