It is neither a bed of roses nor of thorns for State Bharatiya Janata Party president Pralhad Joshi, who goes into electoral mode this time. This makes the elections to the Dharwad Parliamentary constituency interesting. Will he make a hat trick on his home turf, with the mixed bag of luck that Mr. Joshi carries? The issue of alleged corruption being made out against the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre may well be an advantage to the veteran warhorse, but the allegations against his own party in the previous government in the State could trigger a backlash.
Dharwad parliamentary constituency comprises of eight Assembly constituencies: Navalgund, Kundgol, Dharwad, Hubli-Dharwad East, Hubli-Dharwad Central, Hubli-Dharwad-West, Kalghatagi and Shiggaon. The BJP won in three constituencies — Hubli-Dharwad Central, Hubli-Dharwad West and Shiggaon — in the last Assembly elections.
The remaining seats were won by the Congress, except for Navalgund, which went to the Janata Dal (Secular). Here, the Congress gained a total of 3.21 lakh votes against 2.89 lakh of the BJP. Nearly 1.07 lakh was taken away by the Karnataka Janata Paksha, which has now merged with the BJP.
BJP’s toolsThe last Assembly elections had ruined the BJP. But the allegations of corruption that mars the Union government and the Modi trump card have provided the BJP tools to face the elections. Focusing extensively on these issues, the BJP will try to hide its failures in the State. The BJP also feels that the merger of the KJP would work in its favour. As his candidature is certain, Mr. Joshi has already launched his campaigning.
DrawbacksBut factors like the Hubli sports ground issue, allegedly involving senior BJP leaders, have tarnished the party’s image here. Besides, Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik has announced his candidature from here, and this could cut into the BJP votes. The populist budget of the Congress government in the State may also work against the BJP.
The Congress is yet to finalise its candidate. Along with the former MP Manjunath Kunnur, Mahesh Nalatwad, who took active part in the public agitation against the alleged grabbing of Hubli sports ground, and the former Minister and Muslim leader A.M. Hindasageri are said to be aspirants from the Congress.
The JD(S) appears to have not taken parliamentary elections seriously. But the Samajwadi Party leader Babagouda Patil is likely to contest from here in case a new political alternative materialises. Mr. Patil contesting may change the political equations in this constituency.
