Congress, JD(S) And BJP All Set For By-Poll Battle

The Karnataka by-polls is seen as a precursor to all the all-important Lok Sabha elections. Although BJP, JD(S) and Congress have said that they neither expected nor prepared for the by-polls, the countdown for the polls has already begun. After last-minute lobbying, Congress, JD(S) and BJP have almost finalized their candidates. Five seats are going to elections including three Lok Sabha seats Ballari, Shimoga, and Mandya. Also, two assembly seats Ramanagara and Jamkhandi. Congress and JD(S) have decided to support each other in alternate seats.

Ballari, BJP Fights To Retain Power

In Ballari Lok Sabha constituency, BJP is trying to retain its seat. The vacancy came up after BJP's Sriramulu resigned recently and contested in the assembly elections. Congress has fielded MLC VS Ugrappa and JD(S) has supported the candidate. On the other hand, BJP is likely to field J Shantha. Congress has pinned its hopes on Ugrappa to sway votes from the Scheduled Tribe community.

Shimoga, It's The Clash Of Clans

Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency has remained a BJP bastion for a while now. Former CM BS Yeddyurappa's son Raghavendra has filed his nomination from the BJP. He is up against Former CM Bangarappa's son Madhu Bangarappa contesting on a JD(S) ticket. Madhu is expected to attract Ediga community votes and political observers said it could be a close fight.

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Mandya, JD(S) to retain home ground?

Mandya Lok Sabha constituency is JD(S)' home ground and nothing much has changed. BJP has fielded retired bureaucrat Dr. Siddaramaiah while JD(S) has fielded LR Shivarame Gowda. Meanwhile, Congress has decided to support the JD(S) candidate. Ramanagara.

READ: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy Retracts 'Gag Order' After Outrage

Political re-entry Of CM HD Kumaraswamy's wife

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy has filed her nomination from Ramanagara which is her husband's seat. Earlier in the run-up to assembly elections, Kumaraswamy contested and won from two assembly seats in Ramanagara and Channapatna. He later resigned from Ramanagara. Congress has supported Anitha Kumaraswamy while BJP has fielded Chandrashekar.

Jamkhandi, Congress Looks To Retain Power

Jamkhandi assembly seat is vacant as former Congress MLA Bhimappa Nyamagouda from that constituency died in an accident in May 2018. His son Anand Sidda Nyamagouda is contesting from a Congress seat in the constituency. JD(S) has supported Congress' candidate. BJP has fielded Srikanth Kulkarni.

Kumaraswamy gave a call to both Congress and JD(S) to work in tandem to ensure successes in the by-polls. He also added that this is a crucial test ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The outcome of the polls will definitely be a litmus for all the three parties