That political parties, which often brag about ideologies and members’ loyalty, have revolving doors is no secret, given that more often than not they choose winnability over other aspects.
In the four elections since its formation in 2008, including the 2020 by poll, Congress and BJP have both won the Rajarajeshwarinagar (RR Nagar) seat twice but incumbent MLA N Munirathna has done it thrice, giving him an air of unassailability.
Munirathna contends that his victories were because of his popularity and work. But his erstwhile party Congress, on whose ticket he won twice before defecting to BJP and winning the bypoll, argues that he tasted success twice because of the party votes.
“In 2020, he won with BJP because of the political situation. That he had chances of becoming a minister saw voters give him another chance. The situation has changed now,” Congress candidate Kusuma H said. Munirathna, who’s facing internal conflict with supporters of former MLA candidate (BJP) from RR Nagar Muniraju Gowda and local cadre who see him as an outsider, however, prefers to sound obscure, circumventing issues.
“I’m only a beggar asking for votes… How can I say with any certainty how many votes would come my way? I’ve worked for the welfare of people and I’m confident of a g ood resp onse, ” he said.
His rivals though say that Munirathna “banking only on performance may not suffice”, citing what they call are his tacit dealings with the JD(S). The regional party has fielded Dr V Narayanaswamy, who is the incumbent MLA’s personal doctor.
“Munirathna is on the backfoot and that’s clearly visible through his politics for the election. His understanding with the JD(S) is to try and divide the Vokkaliga votes. If JD(S) wanted to win, they would have fielded a strong candidate, but their choice of the incumbent’s doctor unambiguously displays their intent to help the MLA,” Kusuma alleged. Kusuma, a Vokkaliga, had lost to Munirathna in the 2020 bypoll.
With around 45,000 Muslim voters, the Congress is confident of reversing what they call BJP’s accidental win in 2020. However, with more than 1. 2 lakh of the 4. 8 lakh voters being Vokkaligas, the community holds sway in the constituency. But Congress remains upbeat given that Kusuma is being backed by DK Suresh, a strong Vokkaliga face and MP of Bengaluru Rural which includes RR Nagar.
Observers, while pointing out that the segment has around 40, 000 JD(S) votes, sayMunirathna’s understanding with the regional party is to prevent some of them getting transferred to Congress.
Narayanaswamy, however, counters this view. “Him being my patient is part of my profession. While I’d sought a ticket for Mahalakshmi Layout, HD Kumaraswamy chose me for RR Nagar and we put up a strong fight. My professional association with Munirathna will not come in the way of my campaign to defeat him electorally,” he said.
That Munirathna, who’s known to court controversies, has recently launched a verbal attack on Tamils is also seen as something that could impact his prospects given the 40,000-strong Tamil voters. However, Munirathna banks on another regional group, the Telugus, who are nearly equal in numbers as the Tamils.
Voter fatigue or anti-incumbency is another factor Munirathna is battling with several residents’ woes remaining unaddressed. With people remaining divided over the proposed flyover connecting the RR Nagar arch and Mysuru Road also puts him in a spot.
Groups opposing the flyover say the project is unscientific and that its only achievement would be to destroy aesthetics of the arch.
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