 |
|
The upcoming bypoll in Channapatna, Karnataka, has sparked a political tug-of-war, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) proposing former MLA CP Yogeshwar as their candidate and Janata Dal (Secular-JDS) leader HD Kumaraswamy expressing reservations. The proposal was put forward at the residence of Union minister of consumer affairs Pralhad V Joshi in New Delhi on Thursday night. Kumaraswamy, initially reluctant, citing Yogeshwar's past public statements, has softened his stance due to Yogeshwar's work for his brother-in-law, Bengaluru Rural MP CN Manjunath. This suggests a potential shift in political alliances, as Kumaraswamy's initial reluctance hinted at a possible contest against Yogeshwar.
The political landscape in Channapatna is marked by a long-standing rivalry between Yogeshwar and Kumaraswamy. While Yogeshwar won against Kumaraswamy's wife in 2013, he lost to Kumaraswamy in the 2018 and 2023 assembly elections. Kumaraswamy, having resigned from the Channapatna seat after winning the Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha seat in May, is likely to be wary of Yogeshwar gaining a foothold in the constituency. The BJP, meanwhile, sees this as an opportunity to capitalize on Yogeshwar's popularity and potentially weaken Kumaraswamy's hold on the constituency.
The bypoll is also an opportunity for the Congress, led by deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, to consolidate its position. Shivakumar, a prominent Vokkaliga leader like Kumaraswamy, has publicly declared that the Congress vote will be for whoever the party nominates. This indicates the Congress' determination to compete for the seat and further consolidate its position within the Vokkaliga community. The political dynamics in Channapatna are complex and fraught with alliances, rivalries, and shifting loyalties, making the bypoll a keenly watched contest with implications for future political landscape in Karnataka.
The BJP's proposal to nominate Yogeshwar, Kumaraswamy's initial reluctance, and Shivakumar's unwavering support for his party's candidate highlight the strategic maneuvering and political stakes involved in this upcoming bypoll. The contest is likely to be fierce, with each party aiming to secure a victory that strengthens their position within the Vokkaliga community and influences the state's political landscape in the lead up to the 2028 assembly elections.
Source: BJP bats for former MLA Yogeshwar as candidate for Channapatna bypoll