The countdown has begun for the Assembly polls, and  last-minute activity among the candidates is now reaching fever pitch. It is now clear that the JD(S) and Congress are running neck-to-neck in the constituency. 

Though JD(S) candidate M Rajanna is contesting for the first time, he is hardly unknown, considering that his relative S Munishamappa is quite popular among the people of the constituency. 

Congress candidate and former minister V Muniyappa is determined to win, after having lost the previous polls.

Close contest

In this close contest, though the EC has laid serious rules and regulations, both parties seem to have found their own ways of circumventing the rules. And if the Congress candidate is breaching the code, then he has the police backing him up. The BJP and JD(s) have already taken several complaints to circle inspector Sampath Kumar in this regard. The allegation that he is being an agent of the Congress by refusing to lodge a complaint against the Congress party has become common among the people.

Second-rung leaders

But activity among the candidates of both JD(S) and Congress parties is reaching a crescendo. But some members complain that the second-rung leaders of their parties have not actively involved them during campaigning, when compared to that of the earlier elections.

Party sources say that Muniyappa, who was not treated well by some leaders in the previous polls, is responsible for the kind of treatment they are being given.

In fact, Muniyappa has entrusted all poll expenses to his children, without picking any member of the party for the responsibility. This is why the second rung leaders have been limited to campaigning only in their regions.

Disadvantage

But these developments are turning out to be disadvantageous to the JD(S) candidate. Several dissatisfied Congress leaders have extended their support to the JD(S) candidate.

Rebel JD(S) leader Panchakshara Reddy has also extended his support to the Dal candidate, and the JD(S) candidate’s victory is not too uncertain, say political thinkers.

Not a easy win

But it is not likely that either the Congress or JD(S) candidate can have an easy victory either.

The voters have already having decided which candidate is worthy of their votes, but only time can tell who the victor is.