Bagalkote (Karnataka), March 30 Bagalkote, a constituency heading for elections, witnessed intense campaigning on Monday as both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP sought to sway voters.
The by-elections for the Bagalkote and Davanagere South assembly constituencies will be held on April 9. These elections were necessitated by the deaths of sitting MLAs H Y Meti (Bagalkote) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davangere South).
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited Bagalkote on Monday to campaign for Umesh Meti, the son of H Y Meti, who will be contesting directly against BJP's Charantimath.
Wearing a vermillion mark on his forehead, Siddaramaiah addressed a public meeting in the district headquarters town of north Karnataka.
He recalled the work done by H Y Meti and appealed to the people to vote for the Congress candidate and Umesh Meti.
While campaigning in Rampur and Bevur villages, Siddaramaiah made a strong emotional appeal, asking the electorate to treat the contest as if he himself were a candidate and extend their support to the Congress candidate, Umesh Meti.
"Vote as if I am contesting the election myself," Siddaramaiah said, emphasizing his appeal to voters to support Umesh Meti.
Siddaramaiah also outlined the five guarantees of the Congress government, which he said empowered citizens of the state.
According to him, the Congress supported Below Poverty Line families through these guarantees, indirectly providing them with an income of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 per month.
He also criticized the BJP, alleging that there was no development in the state during their rule from 2019 to 2023.
Addressing the issue of raising the height of the Almatti Dam on the Krishna River, Siddaramaiah alleged that the BJP government at the Centre stalled it by not issuing a gazette notification.
Even after 13 years, the Centre did not issue the gazette notification. You must understand this. There is the BJP government at the Centre and now in opposition. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and I met with central ministers several times, but to no avail, he alleged.
Siddaramaiah called on people to ask BJP candidate Charantimath why it has not been notified in the gazette.
On Monday, BJP leaders and workers took out a march in the city, holding party flags, posters, and banners. They raised slogans in favor of the party candidate.
Speaking to reporters, Vijayendra expressed confidence that voters will bless the party and ensure the victory of its candidate, Veeranna Charantimath, in the Bagalkote assembly by-election, regardless of who campaigns in the constituency.
He said support for the BJP is steadily increasing in the constituency, and party workers are actively engaged in campaigning from early morning.
The Shikaripura MLA said the political atmosphere in Bagalkote is in favor of the BJP and asserted that Charantimath would win by a comfortable margin.
"No tactics or conspiracies of the Congress will work," Vijayendra said.
Referring to the role of the ruling party, the BJP state chief alleged that despite Bagalkote being the district that gave Chief Minister Siddaramaiah a political rebirth', it has been neglected by the government.
Siddaramaiah had contested the 2018 assembly election from the Badami assembly segment in Bagalkote district and won.
He said voters are aware of the ground realities, irrespective of speeches made during the campaign.
Alleging misuse of power, he said the Congress is "attempting to influence" voters using money and muscle power, but added that aware voters have decided to support the BJP.
Responding to a question on campaign dynamics, he described Charantimath as a "people-friendly" leader and claimed that even some Congress members want him to win. When even Congress members want him to win, there is nothing wrong if others also support him, he said.
He further claimed that in Bagalkote and Davanagere South seats, some Congress workers are indirectly supporting the BJP.
Anyone who works for the victory of the BJP candidate will be welcomed, he said, adding that the election results will reflect the internal situation within both parties.