The election fever for the local body is hotting up day-by-day in the city and the district. But this is confined only to the political parties and their candidates.

The issue before the party leaders is whether the election will have any impact on the voters. When asked the leaders stock reply is “the people are responding very well.” But the reality is quite different.

People are fed up with the city administration. Only a miracle can hope to turn the people’s interest in the election process. But whether this happens is something to be seen. 

With the elections just four or five days away the political parties are indulging in all sorts of exercises. The powerful political leaders in the district are all involved in the election activities. Sericulture Minister S Shivanna who represents the city, Karnataka Weavers Corporation chairman M D Lakshminarayan and others are canvassing vigorously in favour of BJP candidates.

Brisk activity

On the other hand there is brisk activity seen among the Congress camp too which is the main political rival. The district election observer and legislator V Somanna is moving from house to house seeking votes for his candidates. Congress president Shafi Ahmend and senior leader G S Basavaraju are also involved in frenetic electioneering.

The JD (S) is very craftily making the calculations in this election. Only the candidates are seen involved in the campaigning with no leader yet drumming up support. But this does not mean that they are not aware of the ground realities. They will in all probability involve Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy himself in the campaigning.

He will start the campaign on September 26 from Kunigal and the whole town is going to be the battle camp for the district. After his campaign other JD (S) leaders are likely to intensify the campaign.

It has more women candidates in the fray when compared to either BJP or Congress and this has attracted the attention of the political analysts. By fielding women candidates in 15 wards it has given reservation to more than 40 pc of women. This itself is something that might go in its favour is what some people are predicting.

With each party trying to outdo the other, the election fever among the parties are seen but how much of it will translante into people coming out to vote is something that one has only to watch and see. Till then everone has to keep their fingers crosses.