Campaigning for Nov 3 Karnataka bypolls comes to an end
Bengaluru, Nov 1: Campaigning for the November 3 bypolls to three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies in Karnataka came to an end Thursday, with a BJP candidate pulling out of the contest and returning to the Congress.
In a major embarrassment for the BJP, two days before the Ramanagara assembly bypoll, its candidate against Chief Minister H.D Kumaraswamy's wife quit the contest on Thursday and returned to the Congress.
With BJP's L Chandrashekhar withdrawing his candidature, Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy, is expected to have a smooth sail facing a virtual no-contest.
Bypolls for three Lok Sabha constituencies-Shivamogga, Ballari and Mandya and two assembly constituencies- Ramanagara and Jamkhandi, will take place Saturday.
Counting of votes will be on November 6.
Congress and JD(S) that are ruling coalition partners in Karnataka have decided to fight the bypolls unitedly against the BJP.
Congress has fielded its candidates in Jamkhandi and Ballari and JD(S) in Shivamogga, Ramanagara and Mandya.
While Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy remained away from campaigning on the last day as he had take part in the "Karnataka Rajyotsava", state formation day celebrations, in Bengaluru, most leaders from different political parties made a last attempt to woo the voters.
Former chief ministers Siddaramaiah and Jagadish Shettar campaigned in Jamkhandi for Congress candidate Anand Nyamagouda and BJP candidate Shrikant Kulkarni respectively.
State BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa campaigned for his son and party candidate B Y Raghavendra who is pitted against another former chief minister S Bangarappa's son Madhu Bangarappa ofthe JD(S).
While senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar campaigned for party candidate V S Ugrappa, considered an outsider for Ballari, BJP's Sriramulu sought votes for his sister J Shanta.
JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister was in the party's bastion of Mandya Thursday to campaign for Shivarame Gowda, who is pitted against a fresh face Dr Siddaramaiah, a retired Commercial Tax officer from the BJP.
However, in a twist to the poll campaign on the last day in Ramanagara, BJP candidate L Chandrashekhar withdrew his candidature.
Announcing his decision to return to his "mother party," the Congress, Chandrashekhar accused BJP and its leaders of "abandoning" him after giving him the ticket.
The development just ahead of polls is being seen as senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh's response to the BJP's alleged attempts to weaken the coalition government by trying to "poach" Congress MLAs.
Upset and embarrassed BJP workers staged a protest in Ramanagara and vented their anger against Chandrashekhar.
Chandrashekhar, son of a senior Congress leader C M Lingappa, had joined BJP as the Congress decided to support the candidate of its ruling coalition partner, JD(S).
Within days after joining the BJP, he was announced as the party's candidate.
During campaigning in the last couple of weeks open expression of displeasure by congress workers was seen in the Vokkaliga bastion of Ramanagara and Mandya constituencies that come under old Mysuru region, as a large section of local party leaders and workers are opposed to their party decision to support JD(S) candidate in both segments.
Congress and JD(S) that had fought bitterly against each other in the assembly polls, especially in the old Mysore Region, decided to join hands to form a government as the May 12 assembly polls threw up a hung verdict.
There are 31 candidates in the fray.
By-elections have been necessitated after BJP's B S Yeddyurappa (Shivamogga) and B Sriramulu (Ballari), and C S Puttaraju of JD(S) (Mandya) resigned as MPs on their election to the assembly in May this year.
Bypolls to Jamkhandi assembly seat was caused by the death of Congress MLA Siddu Nyamagouda, while Ramanagara fell vacant after Kumaraswamy gave up the seat preferring Channapatna, the other constituency from where he had won.
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Mamata betrayed Bengal's women by conspiring with parties like Cong: BJP chief
Balurghat (WB) (PTI): BJP president Nitin Nabin on Sunday blamed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and opposition parties such as the Congress for the setback to the implementation of women's reservation in legislatures.
Addressing a rally in support of BJP candidate Bidyut Roy in Balurghat, Nabin said removing the TMC from power had become essential to drive out infiltrators from Bengal, prevent demographic change and safeguard national security.
"Despite being a woman, Mamata Banerjee betrayed the women of Bengal by conspiring with parties like the Congress so that the women's reservation bill could not be passed in the Lok Sabha," he alleged.
Urging women voters in the state to "teach her a lesson", he claimed that the TMC government had failed to ensure the safety and security of women, citing incidents such as those at RG Kar hospital and the medical college in Durgapur.
A Constitution Amendment Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated on Friday.
Nabin also accused the chief minister of protecting infiltrators and said the BJP, if voted to power, would ensure good governance.
"Infiltrators will be driven out, and every bona fide citizen will be able to live peacefully in a secure environment if the BJP comes to power," he said.
Nabin said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had delivered on promises and prioritised national security, citing the abrogation of Article 370 and surgical strikes against Pakistan-backed terrorists.
"We need a government in Bengal which will ensure the state's well-being and security in every aspect," he said.
Appealing to voters to back the BJP, Nabin said, "If not now, then never."
"Let it be a historic victory. A new dawn will come, and after May 4, a government that will look after the aspirations of mothers, sisters, youth, the elderly and farmers will be installed in Bengal," he said.
At another election rally at Ratua in Malda district, Nabin claimed that time has come for the chief minister to “bid goodbye”.
Alleging deterioration in law and order, he said women were unsafe “from Park Street to Kamduni, and from R G Kar to Durgapur Medical College”, while there were many “unreported cases”.
He also alleged the involvement of ruling party leaders in various illegal activities.
“Wait for a few days. Members of the ‘bhaipo (nephew) syndicate’ of the TMC will be on the run, and caught one by one with legal action taken against them,” Nabin asserted.
He was referring to allegations by state BJP leaders about extortion syndicates “patronised by top TMC leaders” running into crores of rupees.
“At least one minister had been jailed, while many officials are behind the bars. Those involved in corruption would face strict action after May 4,” the BJP chief said.
Promising employment and welfare measures, Nabin said a BJP government would create job opportunities for the youth and ensure support for farmers.
He also assured the people of transparent recruitment based on merit, implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, and direct transfer of benefits to bank accounts without “cut money” (commission).
Referring to the ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ slogan of the Narendra Modi government, Nabin said “there will be inclusive growth involving all sections of society under the double engine government.”
“There will be no appeasement for one particular community, which caused change in the demography in several border districts of Bengal,” he said.
Nabin also took part in a programme of the ‘Balmiki Samaj’ – an outfit of backward Hindu castes – where he stressed on the need for inclusive growth.
Earlier, the BJP president led a colourful roadshow covering around 2 km in Balurghat town and adjoining areas of Dakshin Dinajpur district.
