By As a candidate for the upcoming by-elections in the Basavakalyan assembly constituency. This move has attracted criticism from opposition parties, including the Congress, who have accused the BJP of promoting dynastic politics.
The Basavakalyan constituency has been vacant since the demise of Congress MLA Narayana Rao in September 2020. The upcoming by-elections are crucial for both the BJP and the Congress as they look to increase their respective vote share in the state.
The BJP has also decided to field its big guns in the upcoming by-elections. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, BJP national general secretary C.T. Ravi, and state unit president Nalin Kumar Kateel are expected to lead the party’s campaign in the Basavakalyan constituency.
On the other hand, the Congress is likely to field former MLA Mallikarjun Kharge’s son, Priyank Kharge, as its candidate for the by-elections. The party is also considering fielding former minister M.B. Patil, who has a strong hold in the Basavakalyan constituency.
While the BJP is banking on its development agenda and the popularity of Chief Minister Yediyurappa to win the by-elections, the Congress is hoping to capitalize on the anti-incumbency factor and the disgruntlement among the BJP cadre.
The by-elections in the Basavakalyan constituency are crucial for the BJP as it looks to retain its majority in the Karnataka assembly. The party currently holds 117 seats in the 224-member assembly, and a loss in the by-elections could lead to a precarious situation for the ruling government.
As the election campaign heats up, both the BJP and the Congress are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters in the Basavakalyan constituency. It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious in this high-stakes battle.
