Both Suresh C. Angadi of the Bharatiya Janata Party and
Laxmi R. Hebbalkar of the Congress, contesting from the prestigious
Belgaum Lok Sabha constituency, are two Lingayat leaders who are
battling the anti-incumbency factor. They are running a neck-to-neck
race for what could eventually turn out to be a thrilling photo-finish.
The
constituency assumes significance following the establishment of the
Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the second Secretariat of the State,
and the government’s resolve to develop the city on the lines of a
second capital of the State.
Two-time MP and
businessman Mr. Angadi, who allegedly used his position to expand his
businesses and open professional colleges in Belgaum, is facing public
ire for his alleged failure to make any notable contribution for the
development of the constituency during his two terms spanning over ten
years. The least people expected of him was to implement the
long-pending proposals for three railway over-bridges in Belgaum city.
Both the people and party workers complain of his apathy. His efforts to
improve facilities at the railway station are not worthy to recount.
The only credibility he still enjoys is for being non-controversial,
except for building his engineering college without permission, on land
notified for the Army exercises, and subsequently managing, with the
previous BJP government, to get it de-notified.
Of
the eight Assembly segments in the constituency, the BJP’s strength has
gone up from three to four (Belgaum Rural, Saundatti Yellamma, Arabhavi
and Bailhongal) after the merger of the Karnataka Janata Paksha with the
BJP; while Gokak, Belgaum Uttar and Ramdurg are represented by Congress
MLAs, and Belgaum Dakshin by an Independent (Maharashtra Ekikaran
Samiti).
Ms. Hebbalkar, who is also president of the
Belgaum District Congress Committee, lost by a narrow margin in the last
Assembly elections in Belgaum Rural, and has little to claim as
contributions for the development of the constituency. Her close
association with some of the controversial Congress leaders has not gone
down well among the Lingayats. With the help of Minister of Excise
Satish L. Jarkiholi, Feroz N. Sait, MLA, and Ramesh L. Jarkiholi, she is
tapping every possible resource to boost her prospects given the strong
anti-incumbency against the UPA at the Centre. The Congress here is
banking on the support of Dalits, backward classes and minorities, and
hoping to capitalise on the fact that it is fielding a woman. They are
also projecting the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as a
threat to the secular fabric of the country.
The
JD(S) has fielded Nasir Bagwan, an outsider from Khanapur Assembly
segment, who is banking on the support of the sizeable Bagwan community
in the constituency. The former Chief Minister H.D. Kumarswamy’s
popularity will also come to the candidate’s aid.
The
Aam Admi Party has fielded a young social worker to stamp its presence
here. Given that Mr. Angadi is facing strong public opposition for his
alleged non-performance, only the BJP’s wishful ‘Modi wave’ may help him
win. Ms. Hebbalkar’s prospects clearly hinge on the support of Dalits,
backward classes, minorities and a section of Lingayats. But, a large
number of Marathi voters hold a key here, and can tilt the equation
either way.
