Date:01/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/01/stories/2008120159700600.htm

Karnataka

BJP trying hard to make inroads in Cauvery belt

Muralidhara Khajane

Both Congress and Janata Dal (S) are strong in the region

Maddur seat fell vacant after the death of
JD(S) MLA M.S. Siddaraju
JD(S) is banking on the sympathy factor in
the constituency

MYSORE: The byelection to the Maddur Assembly Constituency in Mandya district, which will be held along with seven Assembly constituencies on December 27, is being seen as a mini-battle of sorts in the Cauvery belt.

Winning this seat will allow the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to claim clout in the Vokkaliga heartland.

A couple of weeks ago, the Bharatiya Janata Party Government released Rs. 7 crore for the “integrated” development of Maddur and the work is on.

Funds

The Government promised to release more funds to the constituency.

For the Congress, a victory will help it regain its position after a string of electoral losses. Maddur is the home constituency of the former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna.

The Janata Dal (Secular) is not prepared to lose its hold on the constituency, which it had won and is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the victory of its candidate.

While Maddur Assembly segment fell vacant following the death of Janata Dal (Secular) MLA M.S. Siddaraju, the elections in six other Assembly segments have been forced upon the electorate following “Operation Lotus” launched by the BJP to strengthen its position after the formation of the Government.

Strong contender

The Janata Dal (Secular) is seen as a strong contender as H.D. Kumaraswamy has announced Kalpana Siddaraju, wife of the late MLA, as the party candidate.

The party is banking on the sympathy factor and the pro-people image of Mr. Siddaraju.

The BJP is fielding the former MLA D.C. Thammanna, who contested on the Congress ticket unsuccessfully against Mr. Siddaraju in the previous election.

He joined the BJP recently. The admission of Mr. Thammanna to the party is a part of BJP’s strategy to make inroads in the Cauvery belt, where both the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) are strong.

According to Mr. Thammanna, BJP State unit president D.V. Sadananda Gowda had promised him ticket and the support of Madhu Made Gowda, who unsuccessfully contested as the BJP candidate in the elections held in May 2008.

Although Mr. Thammanna claims that there was no opposition from the BJP workers at the grassroots level, supporters of Mr. Madhu Made Gowda blocked the road near Shivapura urging the BJP leadership to field their leader and not to entertain Mr. Thammanna, who according to them joined the BJP for the sake of power.

While the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) have finalised their candidates and forming strategies for the bypoll, the Congress is yet to zero in on its nominee.

Congress plan

In view of the development and being apprehensive about Mr. Gurucharan’s victory, the Congress is thinking of fielding Shambhavi Siddartha, daughter of Mr. Krishna. Party leaders are of the opinion that Mr. Krishna’s clout would help in the victory of his daughter.