The BJP`s Karnataka unit has deliberate a large display of electricity at some point of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s go to to Shivamogga and Belagavi today. The Prime Minister’s itinerary accommodates the release of Shivamogga airport and a 10-km roadshow in Belagavi – a part of an complicated outreach plan in advance of the kingdom polls due later this year.
Why Belagavi Is Important
The Belagavi district in Kittur-Karnataka place has 18 Assembly segments and has historically been a BJP stronghold. Its importance withinside the celebration’s ballot plan has been compounded because the BJP seems to be on a backfoot this time because of corruption expenses and murmurs of revolt from a few MLAs who had switched to the BJP from Janata Dal (Secular) and the Congress.
After its stronghold Bengaluru, it’s far Belagavi which can decide ballot results for the BJP. The place bills for the very best populace of Lingayats — an influential network that constitutes 17 in step with cent of Karnataka’s populace.
During the 2018 elections, the BJP gained thirteen out of the 18 seats in Belagavi. In Kittur-Karnataka place, in advance referred to as Mumbai-Karnataka, the BJP gained almost 30 seats out of the entire 50 – almost 30 in step with cent of the BJP’s overall tally of 104.
What’s Different This Time
The Prime Minister’s roadshow and common visits with the aid of using pinnacle BJP leaders, which include Home Minister Amit Shah, spark interest on why the celebration has doubled its recognition on a place that may be a BJP bastion anyway.
A key cause is a management vacuum. Former leader minister BS Yediyurappa, the tallest Lingayat chief withinside the kingdom, these days introduced retirement from electoral politics. The BJP additionally confronted setbacks after key leaders — former minister Umesh Katti and Deputy Speaker of Assembly Anand Mamani died remaining year. Prior to that, BJP’s Ramesh Jarkiholi changed into pressured to surrender as minister amid the 2021 intercourse for activity scandal.
The BJP misplaced its key Lingayat chief Suresh Angadi, a former Belagavi MP and Union Railway Minister, because of Covid in 2020. Sanjay Patil, leader of BJP’s Belagavi unit, concedes that there’s a management void. Speaking to NDTV, Mr Patil stated that they’re closely counting on critical leaders this time as there’s “no nearby Lingayat face”.
What is the BJP Plan
With a Lingayat heavyweight missing, the BJP has fallen returned on its largest electricity — the enchantment of Prime Minister Modi. Mr Patil says that regardless of the void, he changed into assured that the BJP will win 15 out of 18 seats withinside the district, improving remaining time’s display. The tussle in the Congress, among factions led with the aid of using Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar, may even advantage the BJP, he stated.
The critical BJP management are that specialize in Kittur-Karnataka — the districts of Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Dharwad, Vijayapura, Bagalkote, Gadag and Haveri — south Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka areas because it is going all out in its try to go back to strength in its southern stronghold.