It will not be easy for AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge to wrest his home from Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency in this Lok Sabha election after his first defeat in the last election.
His son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani, who wants to carry on the legacy of the Congress veteran by contesting the polls, will have to weather Mr. Modi’s wave.
Mr. Doddamani was Mr. Kharji’s key strategist and worked behind the scenes during his consecutive victories in the Gurmitkar assembly segment and two assembly polls. Mr. Karji won eight consecutive matches from 1972 to 2004.
“There is a wave of sympathy for Mallikarjun Kharji, who lost the last Lok Sabha elections despite taking up development projects as an MP and minister. If I had contested again from Gulbarga instead of fielding my son, it would have been a one-sided affair.It will be a close contest between national parties from now on,” said former gram member Sharan Shirasagi village in Kalaburagi taluk. Panchayat Secretary Shivashankar Jambagi said.
Mr Kharge’s emotional appeal last week to voters saying, “If you think you worked for us, please at least attend the funeral” may generate sympathy for the Gulbarga Congress, party sources said. are thinking.
Mallikarjun Patil, a farmer from Malkhed, and his associates have credited Karnataka Central University, GIMS, ESIC hospital, construction of barrage-cum-bridge and several other projects to Kharji. “Congress candidate Mr Radhakrishna Dodamani and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Dr Umesh Jadhav are irrelevant to the election. We support the Congress considering Mr Kharge’s stature,” they said.
Now, with the return of former ministers Malikaya Guttedar, Baburao Chinchansur and Dr AB Malakredi, the party has become even stronger. Ministers Priyank Kharge and Sharan Prakash Patil have also been camping in the constituency in recent weeks and overseeing election campaigns.
Guarantee system
The guarantee scheme launched by the state government has improved the Congress’ prospects in the assembly elections. “We did not receive drought compensation for loss of tur, cotton and sugarcane crops. But thanks to Gruha Lakshmi, Shakti’s schemes, Gruha Jyoti and Anna Bhagya we managed to We were able to survive,” said Vital Karagond of Ankaraga village in Jwalgi taluk.
In the Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency, the party has six seats, while the BJP and JD(S) each have one seat and confidence in the Congress is high.
anti-incumbent
Congress leader Dr Umesh Jadhav is trying to ride the Modi wave into an anti-incumbent revolt. People argue that he failed to curb immigration because he failed to introduce large-scale projects. People also complain that he is unapproachable as a member of Congress.
However, Jadhav is confident of winning a second term. A tough campaign by central leaders, including the Prime Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda, has boosted the morale of the saffron brigade. In fact, the Prime Minister started his leg poll campaign in Karnataka from Kalaburagi.
Nitin Guttedar strengthens BJP
The party has strengthened in the district with Nitin Guttedar joining the BJP.
“Most of the development works in Mallikarjun Kharji are confined to Kalaburagi city only. Nitin Guttedar quickly responds to our problems, including drinking water shortage. He is also easily accessible to the people.” said Shivanand Hadappad, a beauty salon owner from Gabur village in Afzalpur taluk.
“I always support Congress in assembly elections as our village is the birthplace of former CM late N Dharam Singh. However, PM Modi is a strong leader and has many poverty relief programmes. I will vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the upcoming assembly polls,” said Devanna Manga (65), a farmer from Neroji village in Jewargi taluk.
The Congress won 16 elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party won twice and the Janata Dal once from the constituency. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s prospects now depend on how its candidate quells public anger over unfulfilled demands for a separate railway sector and a giant textile park.
issued May 3, 2024, 23:11 IST
