Viral song for Kageri kicks off debate on sidelining OBC voters in Uttar Kannada
A viral song in Classical mode soliciting votes for BJP Candidate in Uttar Kannada constituency Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri has kicked off a controversy for asking the Brahmin community to vote in unity for the ‘Brahmin candidate’. Supporters of incumbent MP Anantkumar Hegde have criticized the song and it has worsened the already tarnished image of Kageri for Brahmin favouritism.
The song of 3.52 minutes duration, sung by a female artiste, has been made viral by Kageri’s supporters in Uttar Kannada through hundreds of WhatsApp groups. The song begins with the line “yochisi mata hakavu, brahmanarella BJP ashtaravu” and urges the listeners to make the ‘Brahmin candidate’ win with majority. Supporters of incumbent MP Anantkumar Hegde were infuriated as the song went viral and openly questioned Kageri if he didn’t need any OBC votes.
There is a direct competition in Uttar Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, this time, between BJP’s Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri who comes from the Brahmin community and Congress’ Dr Anjali Nimbalkar who is from the OBC Maratha group.
Incumbent MP Anantkumar Hegde hasn’t yet participated in any election campaigns for Kageri, neither has he given any statement in the new candidate’s favour. A group of Hegde supporters is working in favour of Dr Anjali, while another group has decided to stay neutral in the elections. Social media has seen a surge in opposition to Kageri due to the song and netizens have commented that Kageri won’t be even a panchayat member, if he is only voted by the Brahmins, reports state.
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Crossing river, trekking hill voters reach polling booths to cast vote in Surguja LS constituency
Balrampur/Chhattisgarh (PTI): Enthusiastic voters reached polling booths trekking steep hilly paths, crossing a river and even on a horse to cast their votes in remote areas of the tribal-dominated Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, officials said.
Balrampur district falls under the Surguja Lok Sabha constituency which was among seven seats where polling was held in third and last phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state. The Surguja Lok Sabha recorded 74.59 per cent voting, as per the Turnout application.
Voters, belonging to Pahadi Korva, a particularly vulnerable tribal group, including Rajesh, Madan, Sukhu, Gopal and Nandlal, crossed a river to exercise their franchise at a polling booth in village panchayat Amera under the Samri assembly constituency, a government official said.
Similarly, electors, including Lakhan Nagesia, Sahu, Phulsai and Kalesh of Bachwar village under the Ramanujganj assembly constituency walked through hilly terrain for about two hours covering 8 kms to reach a polling booth and cast their vote, he said. A voter, Parimal Dey, reached a polling booth in Sagarpur village under the Ramanujganj assembly seat on a horse, the official said. Dey is a cattle rearer who owns 150 goats.
Two hyper sensitive polling booths -- Chunchuna and Pundag -- located in a Naxal-affected area of the district which shares border with Jharkhand, also recorded significant turnout, he said. The two booths are located in the Samri assembly constituency.
"Special security arrangements were put in place in this area to ensure peaceful voting. Voters of Chunchuna and Pudang ensured their participation in the great festival of democracy braving Naxalite threat," he said. The Chunchuna polling booth has 767 voters and it recorded 84.35 per cent turnout, while Pundag has 595 electors and it registered a turnout of 72.44 per cent till 5 pm, the official added.
