It's novice versus warhorse

Both the Congress and the BJP are into electioneering in full force, determined to woo voters. The BJP’s V Somanna is a seasoned politician and Congress’ Priya Krishna is a ‘cash-rich’ candidate (his total assets as declared in his affidavit submitted while filing nomination paper is worth Rs 770 crore). For Somanna and the BJP, victory in the constituency is a prestigious issue as the candidate is also a member of Yeddyurappa’s cabinet. Govindrajnagar, as a result, promises a high-voltage electoral battle.

The byelection has been necessitated following resignation of Somanna as Govindrajnagar MLA to hop over from Congress to BJP. A four-time MLA, Somanna is confident of his re-election.  During his campaign, the minister takes pain to clarify that he joined the BJP only for the sake of development.

Though Congress candidate Priya Krishna, son of Vijayanagar Congress MLA M Krishnappa, is a political novice, the party has stood by him in full strength. He has got the support of the JD(S) too, following rejection of the nomination papers of the party’s candidate. The Congress is highlighting Somanna as a party-hopper, and urging voters to teach him a lesson by not voting in his favour. Its a gruelling schedule for candidates who are putting in nearly 18 hours day for campaigning. Both have already toured the constituency thrice. On Saturday alone, Priya Krishna covered 20 places, while Somanna campaigned in 15 areas.

In between, they also managed to attend closed-door meetings with the party leaders.

Support Cong candidate: Deve Gowda

JD(S) National President H D Deve Gowda on Sunday openly called upon his party workers to support the Congress candidate in Govindrajnagar, reports DHNS from Bangalore.

Speaking at a party workers convention, Gowda said his party never supported candidates who switched sides under BJP’s “Operation Lotus”. He charged that Housing and Muzrai Minister V Somanna, now contesting from Govindrajnagar on a BJP ticket, was misleading people stating that he had the support of the JD(S). Gowda alleged that no developmental work had been taken up in Govindrajnagar during Somanna’s earlier tenure as legislator. It’s a straight fight between the Congress and BJP in Govindrajnagar following the rejection of JD(S) candidate Nagendra Prasad’s nomination during the scrutiny. Nagendra Prasad’s nomination was rejected after the election authorities found that he had not mentioned his serial and part number in the voters’ list while filing his papers.