BENGALURU: Nearly six decades after S Nijalingappa won from this segment and became chief minister, Basavaraj Bommai, who was named chief minister in 2021 in a move that surprised many, has made Shiggaon a CM constituency again.
Barely a fortnight before elections were announced, Bommai, a three-time MLA from Shiggaon, promised to turn the seat into a model taluk. On May 1, nine days prior to election day, it appeared he was already putting his promise into action as roads in several parts of the segment were being tarred.
Bommai, whose wife Chennamma and son Bharath are managing his campaign given his responsibilities of touring the state, has development as the main message for voters. His son trots out a list of achievements — from constructing roads and tanks to schools and attracting industries — besides promises to constituents.
But politics in the segment is a mixture of caste equations, a dark horse and what appears to be a tacit understanding between two main rivals. Locals, including politicians, agree that Congress — whose stronghold Shiggaon was until 1994 — had an opportunity to end Bommai’s run. But the party appears to have bungled in candidate selection, with many calling it a “gift to Bommai”.
Congress’ stand that it would only field a Muslim candidate in a segment that also has a significant Panchamasali Lingayat presence, is seen as a misstep. It failed to yield results in the past four elections. That Sayed Azeempeer Khadri, who won the seat by a narrow margin on a JD(S) ticket in 1999, but lost on a Congress ticket four times since, including thrice to Bommai, had to be replaced was a given.
But the grand old partynamed another Muslim, Pathan Yasir Ahmed Khan, as its candidate. Congress first named Mohammed Yousuf Savanur, an outsider (from Hubballi) and had to replace him with Pathan following protests from local cadres. That it initially did not name Khan has also meant that he has had little time to work on ground.
However, the party’s topcadres in Shiggaon, say they have more than a fair chance of wresting the seat from BJP and that anti-incumbency would work against Bommai. “What development? He has been an MLA for three terms and has woken up to the constituency some three months before the election. As you can see for yourself, there’s a lot of good response for us as people want change,” Pathan said.
In a straight fight, Pathan may, perhaps, have been proven right. But there is a strong third candidate in Shashidhar Yeligar of JD(S), a realtor and social worker. Some within BJP concede he is a dark horse who could impact results. But they are also relieved that he isn’t fighting on a Congress ticket. Bommai’s prospects would have been worse had that happened, they feel.
“It is very clear that Congress has tied up with Bommai. People in Shiggaon deserve better and had the Congress fielded a good candidate I would have worked for him. But given that there’s a dealbetween the two big parties here, I am forced to enter electoral politics with JD(S). The people will teach both national parties a lesson this time,” Yeligar, a Panchamsali Lingayat, said.
Bharath dismisses any understanding with Congress. “My father has been working for the people of Shiggaon for 15 years. His goal of providing people here with access to education and employment other than a slew of other developmental works is for everybody to see,” he said, while also allaying fears of the Lingayat vote being split because of Yeligar’s presence in the fray.
With BJP banking on development and consolidation of party votes, Congress relying on the considerable number of Muslim votes, and JD(S) hoping its candidate’s personal popularity and caste will be supplemented by a consolidation of Muslim votes, the contest in Shiggaon has truly turned three-cornered.
(Inputs by Basavaraj Maralihali)
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.
Start a Conversation
Post comment