Chamarajanagara: The BJP leader Mallikarjuna Swamy (Alur Mallu) is contesting as JDS candidate from Chamarajanagara constitueny. The contest of a Lingayat leader would dent V. Somanna’s votes.
Aluru Mallu, who was identified with Kollegala MLA N. Mahesh, got 7,000 votes as the BSP candidate from Chamarajanagara in 2018 election. Later, Mahesh joined BJP and Swamy became close to Rudresh, an aide of B. Y. Vijendra. Mallikarjuna Swamy was with Rudresh even when Rudresh had leveled accusations against Minister V. Somanna.
Today he filed nomination papers as JDS candidate In Lingayat-dominated Chamarajanagara constituency. Lingayat votes will be divided and it will be a boon for Congress.
Dr. Guruprasad of Raitha Sangha, a Lingayat leader is an AAP candidate who would also get votes from Lingayat community. Currently, there is a direct fight between the Congress and the BJP in Chamarajanagara and the votes that the other candidates steal can lead to the defeat or victory of one candidate.
The SDPI organisation is strong in Chamarajanagara District Headquarters and is currently campaigning for the candidate by declaring support for BSP. Muslim votes are also crucial for Congress. And if all the SC right-wing votes, goes to BSP, the direct impact will fall on Congress. The Chamarajanagara seat battle is currently attracting attention.
In Gundlupete Assembly constituency BJP leader M. P. Sunil Kumar is contesting as rebel candidate and thus may pose a problem to sitting BJP MLA Niranjan Kumar. Kinakahalli Rachaiah has entered the fray as a BJP rebel candidate to defeat Kollegala incumbent BJP MLA Mahesh, who was comfortable with strong vote banks, which will lead to division of votes. Kollegala JDS candidate Puttaswamy is also attracting attention and we have to wait and see which party vote bank would he dent.
