BJP hopes to maintain momentum of winning streak with return; it’s battle for revival for Cong and survival for JD(S)
Siddaramaiah, Congress leader and Basavaraj Bommai
Assembly poll in Karnataka will be held on May 10 and the result will be out on May 13, the Election Commission announced on Wednesday. While the ruling BJP has 119 seats in the 224-member Assembly, Congress has 75 and the JD(S) 28. Two seats are vacant.
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‘My last election’
Karnataka Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, who is a contender for chief minister post if Congress is voted to power, on Wednesday said it will be his last election. “After this, I am retiring from politics,” he added.
Also Read: In poll-bound Karnataka, JD(S) MLA S R Srinivas resigns, to join Congress
Top campaign issues
Corruption: The recent arrest of BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa and his son in a bribery case has put the ruling BJP on a back foot. The Congress has made corruption a central theme of its campaign. The BJP has sought to counter the narrative by highlighting alleged graft during previous Congress regimes.
Reservation: The governm-ent’s decision to scrap the 4 per cent reservation to Muslims under the OBC quota is bound to raise tempers on the poll scene.
Price rise: The Congress and the JD(S) will make it a key issue, particularly the “high” cooking gas and fuel prices.
Caste politics: Parties will go out of their way to win over various castes, and consolidating their vote base will be among the key agendas of the contending parties. While BJP is focusing on getting Vokkaliga support in the old Mysuru region, Congress wants to better its tally in Lingayat dominated constituencies.
Communalism and minority appeasement: The Congress has accused the BJP of raking up divisive issues with an eye on the elections, like hijab, halal, azan and Tipu Sultan, while the BJP has charged the Congress with indulging in minority appeasement politics. The slugfest between the two parties is likely to intensify during campaigns.
Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi factors: The Congress will target the PM on issues like Adani, democracy, free speech and authoritarianism. The BJP will attack Rahul for his alleged anti-India remarks in the UK.
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