Two subcaste equations at play in Bagalkot

Contest is also being seen as a test of former CM Siddaramaiah’s popularity

Bengaluru / Karnataka : (for file) Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Joint Press Conference regarding by-poll in Bengaluru on Saturday October 20, 2018. Photo: V Sreenivasa Murthy/ The Hindu

One of the interesting poll battles in north Karnataka — in Bagalkot Lok Sabha constituency — is also being seen as a test of popularity for the former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. It is witnessing a close contest laced with heavy caste undertones.

Congress nominee Veena Kashappanavar, a former zilla panchayat president and wife of the former legislator Vijayanand Kashappanavar, is challenging three-time BJP MP P.C. Gaddigoudar, who seems to be fighting an anti-incumbency factor despite having a good image.

According to a senior party leader, Mr. Siddaramaiah’s pull will be a major player here. Of the eight Assembly segments, the BJP has six and the Congress, two, including Badami represented by the former Chief Minister.

The contest, according to locals, became interesting after the Congress, which had unsuccessfully fielded Raddi Lingayat community leaders in the past, changed track this time and chose Ms. Kashappanavar from Panchamsali Lingayat community to take on Mr. Gaddigoudar, a Ganiga Lingayat. The two communities have a strong presence in Bagalkot. Local Congress leaders believe that fielding a young woman is also a plus in their favour.

“We are expecting Kurubas and other backward classes also to consolidate in favour of the Congress,” said Mallappa Ambiger, a resident of Nandikeshwar in Badami segment. The party is also banking on good support from the Janata Dal (Secular).

Openly backing parties

Veteran election observer Malleshappa S. Jigajinni says this election has seen communities come out in the open backing parties. Upset with the Congress decision to favour Panchamsalis, Raddi leaders have been openly campaigning against the party while the former Deputy Chief Minister K.S. Eshwarappa has been drumming up support from Kurubas for the BJP, he said. “Caste has always played an important role in elections, but it was never open like this time,” he said.

Additionally, there are also old ties and rivalries at play here. Congress sources said it all depends on how leaders, including Minister R.B. Thimmapur and former Minister S.R. Patil, have worked here. For, there are opponents to Kashappanavar family within the local Congress.