Until a few months ago when the issue of giving separate religion status to Lingayats hit the headlines across Karnataka, Babaleshwar constituency of the district was just one among several constituencies of the State.
But, this constituency has now shot to fame along with the MLA, M.B. Patil, who is representing this constituency.
Mr. Patil gained more popularity because he spearheaded the Lingayat movement than being the Water Resources Minister of the State.
Mr. Patil is contesting against his bete noire and traditional rival, Vijugouda Patil. Mr. Vijugouda contested on the JD(S) ticket last time, but has chosen BJP in this election.
Two issues have taken prominence in Babaleshwar: development and caste. With regard to development, no person, including his opponent, would deny the fact that in the last five years, unprecedented works related to irrigation has taken place in Babaleshwar after Mr. Patil became Irrigation Minister.
With over Rs. 8,000 crore being pumped in, three major projects have seen a logical end in the constituency. The Tubachi-Babaleshwar lift irrigation project, Mulawad lift irrigation project and filling up of around 50 tanks of the constituency are expected to provide irrigation facility to over two lakh acres.
These projects are expected to change the face of agriculture of the constituency which was in dire need of water and even depending on tankers for supply of water during summers.
On the caste factor, some believe that Mr. Patil may face some trouble as he belongs to Kudu Vokkaliga community which has very limited population while Mr. Vijugouda belongs to the dominant Panchamsali community which plays a decisive role because of its higher concentration.
Amid this, several local leaders think that the demand for a separate religious tag for Lingayats would, at least to some extent, go in favour of Mr. Patil. They do not believe that all people of Panchamsali community would vote for Mr. Vijugouda merely because of the caste factor.
With Mr. Vijugouda joining the BJP, the Muslims are expected to switch to the the Congress.
Yet, Mr. Vijugouda believes that people of Babaleshwar are unhappy with the performance of Mr. Patil and would vote for the BJP.
On the other hand, Mr. Patil claims that his development works would help him win again.
Male voters : 1,06,256
Female voters: 1,02,636
Others : 11
Total : 2,08,903
