DEVANAHALLI

A major hurdle in Chandranna’s way is internal differences in the JD(S). There is displeasure among leaders and workers of other communities over giving the ticket to the same caste (Korama) person continuously. The constituency includes Vijayapura, Kundana, Channarayapatna, Kasaba and Thubugere hoblis and is a reserved constituency. Here, SC/ST voters are in large numbers, while Vokkaligas are next in number. Yadavas and Kurubas are also in considerably high numbers. BJP has its candidate for the first time, City yuva morcha president K Nagesh. BSP’s Muniyappa is contesting for the fifth time.

HOSKOTE

Till now, Hoskote was known for neck to neck fight between the Congress and the JD(S). But, former minister B N Bachegowda has left JD(S) and joined BJP which fielded him here. This time, fight will be close between the BJP and the Congress.

The Congress candidate is once again N Nagaraj(MTB Nagaraj) who had entered Assembly after defeating Bachegowda, who was then contesting from JD(S). JD(S) candidate is N Kumar, once a supporter of Bachegowda, who has entered the fray after voluntarily retiring from his forest department post.

Except Hoskote CMC, JD(S) is strong in rest of the local bodies. Due to delimitation, Kuruba community votes have gone down, which may negatively affect Nagaraj.

Hoskote constituency includes Jadigenahalli, Kasaba, Anugondanahalli, Nandagudi and Sulibele hoblis.

NELAMANGALA

Post delimitation, the situation has changed in Nelamangala which was once a strong base for Congress. Madhure hobli is now with Doddaballapur constituency, and Dasanapura in Yelahanka constituency.

Thyamagondlu and Sompura hoblis which were earlier in Koratagere constituency, a strong base of JD(S), are now included into Nelamangala constituency. Anjanamurthy, three-time MLA and ex-minister is contesting from Cong.

Dr Srinivasamurthy of JD(S) and  M V Nagaraj of BJP are now giving a tough fight to Anjanamurthy. Dalits(Left) have more than 26,000 votes and are likely to favour their ‘own’ Anjanamurthy. While votes of Srinivasamurthy’s caste-fellows - dalits(right) - are only around 8,000. Vokkaligas and Lingayats will also be decisive.

CHANNAPATNA

A direct fight is set between Congress and JD(S) in Channapatna. While former MLA and Congress candidate C P Yogeeshwar is eyeing for a hat trick,  JD(S) candidate M C Ashwath is at cashing in on HDK’s popularity.

Cine actor C P Yogeeshwar, who had once won as an independent candidate and later from Congress, is contesting again from Congress. M C Ashwath who had lost with a slight margin in previous elections, is the JD(S) candidate. BJP’s N Ramesh, BSP’s M S Mukram, JD(U)’s Beeraiah, SP’s Syed Mohammed Ansar, AIFB’s M Siddaramaiah and three other independents are also in fray.

Though Yogeeshwar is confident of a win the complaints lodged against him with the Election Commission might become hurdles in his way. Ramanagar Assistant Commissioner has already taken action to lodge a case against him for not giving proper details in his affidavit. Along with this, the fact that Bangalore’s Mega City project’s members have taken legal recourse against Yogeeshwar is also a matter of debate in the town. However, as most complaints against him aren’t related with the constituency, their impact is yet to be assessed. The Congress’ influence has also been affected as former minister C Varadegowda, Virupakshipur’s Lingarajegowda and others have left Congress and joined JD(S).

JD(S), which gained a lead in CMC elections, exudes confidence. Ashwath is optimistic about leading, on the basis of voters’ sympathy over his last time’s defeat and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy’s popularity.

Vokkaligas are in large numbers(about 70,000) and their votes may be spread between Congress and JD(S).

Fishermen, muslims, kurubas are around 20,000 each. About 30,000 SC/ST, 9,000 lingayats, 6,000 brahmins are here. Another special feature is that the number of female voters is more than that of male voters (Women 92,032, Men 90033) and women can have a decisive say here. The votes falling for BJP’s Ramesh and BSP’s Mukram will also affect the results.