Date:13/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101355640400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Byelections an acid test for all major parties

B. S. Satish Kumar

Jaggesh in two minds about entering the fray

Efforts on to forge a Congress-Janata Dal (S) tie-up
BJP leaders claim of making a clean sweep

BANGALORE: The heat of the byelections to eight Assembly constituencies in the State is already being felt by the three major political parties though the polling dates are yet to be announced.

The war of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition Congress and Janata Dal (S) has already built up a political tempo for the bypolls, and the parties have commenced formal preparations for the elections.

Stakes are high for the BJP as, unlike the previous occasions, the bypolls are crucial in deciding the stability of the B.S. Yeddyurappa Government. The Congress and the Janata Dal (S) are making efforts to forge an alliance. They want to put up a combined fight against the BJP. They not only want to retain their seats, but also send a strong political message to the ruling party.

The byelections are a result of a political strategy titled “Operation Kamala” of the BJP under which seven MLAs belonging to the Opposition were persuaded to quit the Assembly and join the ruling party.

The eighth vacancy in the House has arisen due to the death of Janata Dal (S) MLA for Maddur, Siddaraju.

The BJP has taken the lead in the preparations for the bypolls as the Chief Minister has already completed one round of tour of these constituencies. Various development works have also been launched there to woo the voters.

The list of the BJP candidates is ready as the former MLAs who crossed over to it are being fielded. However, the party is yet to decide on the candidature for Turuvekere constituency as cine actor-turned-politician Jaggesh is said to be in a dilemma on contesting the bypolls.

It is learnt that the BJP is expecting to win five or six seats in the byelections, though the party leaders are publicly declaring that they are confident of winning all the eight.

The polls have turned out to be a prestige battle for the Congress, especially for the newly appointed Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president R.V. Deshpande and working president D. K. Shivakumar.

In fact, one of the constituencies going to the bypolls is in Uttara Kannada, the home district of Mr. Deshpande. Both these leaders took charge of their new responsibilities at a function organised in Doddaballapur, which is also going to the bypolls, to drive home a message that they are geared up to face the test.

The Congress had deputed two-member teams of observers to each of the eight constituencies to elicit the opinion of local units on the potential candidates. Based on the reports of these observers, the party is learnt to have recommended the names of candidates to the high command. But the names of the candidates are yet to be announced as there is a possibility of forging an alliance with the Janata Dal (S).

Congress sources said that the Janata Dal (S) is seeking five seats, while the Congress wants the total seats to be shared equally. The party is expected to announce the candidates after a clear picture emerges on the alliance.

The Janata Dal (S) leaders too have commenced their tour of the constituencies. After the recent visit to Doddaballapur, party leader H. D. Kumaraswamy is set to visit Karwar and Deodurga constituencies from October 14. The party is said to be considering the possibility of fielding former Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy from Doddaballapur constituency.