It’s going to be Siddaramaiah vs BSY in Kundagol bypoll

The May 19 Kundagol Assembly bypoll is set to witness a direct clash between former chief ministers - B S Yeddyurappa of the BJP and Congress’ Siddaramaiah – both of whom have high stakes in the constituency.

The BJP’s S I Chikkanagoudar is a Panchamasali Lingayat and a relative of Yeddyurappa, while Congress candidate Kusumavati is a Kuruba and wife of late minister C S Shivalli, who was a close confidant of Siddaramaiah. And, interestingly, Lingayats and Kurubas are the dominant communities in the constituency. Lingayats form an estimated 30% of 1.84 lakh voters and Kurubas are said to be about 14%.

Chikkanagoudar is a three-time MLA. He lost in the 2018 Assembly polls in Kundagol by a narrow margin of 633 votes. The Congress has fielded Kusumavati hoping to sway votes in its favour on sympathy factor.

But the candidate’s profile does not seem to play a big role in the contest. Instead, it is the charisma and organisational skill of two former chief ministers that are the key for winning the seat.

Sources in the BJP and the Congress said Yeddyurappa and Siddaramaiah are planning an extensive campaign in Kundagol.

The two leaders are scheduled to camp in the constituency from May 6. Yeddyurappa will also be campaigning in Chincholi constituency (SC reserved) in Kalaburagi, where Lingayats are dominant. Bypolls to both Kundagol and Chincholi is scheduled on May 19.

Ahinda vs Lingayat

The sources said Siddaramaiah is working towards consolidation of Ahinda (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) in Kundagol. Besides Kurubas, SCs/STs and Muslims are in sizable numbers.

The Congress poll managers also believe that a section of Lingayats, who are considered BJP supports, will back the Congress. The party has, therefore, assigned its Lingayat leaders the task of wooing the community.

The BJP has made another former minister Jagadish Shettar, who is also Lingayat, incharge of Kundagol bypoll. Besides, directions have been issued to the party’s backward classes and Dalit leaders to extensively campaign in the constituency.

This apart, the two national parties have deputed over two dozen legislators for the campaign. MLAs have been appointed as the campaign managers for every taluk. The taluk-level campaign is planned and monitored by senior leaders, the sources said.