As election campaign gathered steam in southern Karnataka constituencies, which are going to the polls on April 18, it was a show of strength by leaders and parties across 14 constituencies in north Karnataka where polling will be held on April 23. Campaign is expected to pick up throughout the State after Ugadi.
Thursday being the last day for filing nominations in constituencies going to the polls on April 23, the Congress displayed its strength in Kalaburagi where its nominee, M. Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, is seeking a re-election.
A day after the BJP’s mammoth rally organised for the filing of nomination papers of its candidate, Umesh Jadhav, the Congress responded with a similar show of strength as the procession meandered through a 7-km stretch in the scorching sun. A host of Congress leaders, including KPCC working president Eshwar Khandre, and Ministers Rahim Khan, Rajshekar Patil, and Priyank Kharge participated in the rally.
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Exuding confidence of winning on the strength of development that he has brought in to Hyderabad Karnataka region, Mr. Kharge said, “With what face would the BJP come to you for votes when it did nothing for you? Even the Kalaburagi–Bidar railway line, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bidar without even inviting me, was almost completed in my tenure as Railway Minister,” he said amid cheering crowd.
Congress candidate for Dharwad seat Vinay Kulkarni also filed his nomination papers on Thursday.
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CM with Asnotikar
In Karwar, Janata Dal (Secular) nominee and former Minister Anand Asnotikar was accompanied by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy when he filed his nomination papers for Uttara Kannada constituency. Mr. Asnotikar will take on Union Minister and BJP leader Anantkumar Hegde in the constituency. Minister R.V. Deshpande, who is opposed to the Congress decision of ceding the Uttara Kannada seat to the JD(S), was, however, conspicuous by his absence.
Movement of traffic was affected at several places on National Highway 66 as the Chief Minister’s convoy moved from Gokarna to Karwar and also on his return to Kollur from Karwar.
BJP nominee Suresh Angadi arrived in a procession to file his nomination for Belagavi Lok Sabha seat.
Meanwhile, in a display of solidarity with the party’s nominees, BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa took part in rallies organised at Davangere and Bagalkot where the former Union Minister G.M. Siddeshwar, and P.C. Gaddigoudar, respectively, are seeking to retain their seats.
While Mr. Yeddyurappa, along with party legislators, attended a rally in Davangere, several leaders from the BJP, including the former Minister Govind Karjol and the former Deputy Chief Minister K.S. Eshwarappa joined him in Bagalkot where a massive rally was organised. Mr. Yeddyurappa also participated in a rally in Haveri.