Vijayapura: The voting for the Teachers’ and Graduates’ Constituency covering Vijayapura, Bagalakote and Belagavi Districts was held peacefully on Monday June 13.
The voting was seen in brisk manner in various polling centres of the District, mainly in the City. The main contest is between the ruling BJP and the Congress in the Constituency for Teachers’ and the Graduates’ Constituency. The fight is primarily tough between sitting BJP MLC, Arun Shahapur and Congress Candidate Prakash Hukkeri for Teachers’ Constituency. While Shahapur is hoping to set a hat-trick by winning for the third term in a row, Hukkeri seems to be giving a tough fight to wash away the hopes of Shahapur.
Despite the fact that the BJP announced tickets to Shahapur weeks in advance and the Congress took time to finalise the candidate, yet the Congress candidate seemed to have acted swiftly in reaching out to the voters within the limited time. The sources said that he is enjoying good support in Belagavi District which has the highest number of voters compared to Vijayapura and Bagalakote. However, the Shahapur who cast his vote at Government High School where the polling booth was set up, exuded confidence of the victory.
He said that the Congress is under frustration, which is why it was making baseless allegations against the BJP. “The police have also seized money from the vehicle of the Congress workers. This also shows that the Congress has decided to win the polls by hook or crook. But as the teachers are educated and they know whom to vote, they will never fall into the trap of the Congress,” he said.
For the Graduates’ Constituency, the BJP has given ticket to Sunil Sank who is an advocate by profession. The BJP has fielded sitting MLC Hanumanth Nirani, brother of Minister Murgesh Nirani.
According to sources, Nirani had started campaigning long before the announcement of the election date as he was confident of securing a ticket. The early beginning of campaigning seems to have helped him in reaching out to the voters.
The delay in announcement of tickets and selection of a not so popular candidate for Graduates’ Constituency, may go against the Congress.
Meanwhile, till the news was filed, the polling of Teachers’ Constituency was recorded at 73.73 % while 57.38% polling had taken place for Graduates’ constituency. The counting will be held on Wednesday June 15 which will decide who will become the next MLCs
