The Hindu : Will the old warhorse give in to pressure?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 23, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Will the old warhorse give in to pressure?

By Laiqh A. Khan

CHAMARAJANAGAR, FEB. 22. The Chamarajanagar (reserved) constituency on the State's border with Tamil Nadu and Kerala, has long become synonymous with the Dalit leader and the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, V. Srinivas Prasad. For, Mr. Prasad has represented the constituency for five times in the Lok Sabha.

But the uncertainty over Mr. Prasad contesting this time has given a new dimension to the elections.

Though Mr. Prasad has made it clear that he will not contest the elections, the State unit of the Samata Party, which has since merged with the Janata Dal (Secular), wants Mr. Prasad to reverse his decision.

It remains to be seen whether Mr. Prasad will give in to the pressure by his supporters or remains firm in his resolve not to contest the elections.

The Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha constituency comprising eight Assembly segments of Nanjangud, Gundlupet, Chamarajanagar, Hanur, Santhemarahalli, T. Narsipur, Bannur, and Kollegal forms part of Mysore as well as Chamarajanagar revenue districts. While Nanjangud, T. Narsipur, and Bannur are part of Mysore district, the remaining Assembly segments fall in Chamarajanagar district.

A major area of the constituency also forms part of the forest areas where the brigand, Veerappan, has been operating with impunity for the past couple of decades. Most of Veerappan's exploits in Karnataka, including the abduction of the former Minister, H. Nagappa, have been carried out in this constituency.

The number of voters in the constituency, according to the voters' list of 1999, is 11,01,851. The constituency is one of the four reserved Lok Sabha segments in the State and the Dalit population in the constituency is estimated to be around 35 per cent. Lingayats constitute about 40 per cent.

Vokkaligas, Nayakas, Upparas, and Kurubas, besides religious and linguistic minorities too have a presence, but to a limited extent.

Though the constituency, particularly its Dalit electorate, has been under Mr. Prasad's sway for a long time, there are indications of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) making inroads into the constituency. Political observers have identified the growing popularity of the BSP in the constituency as one of the likely reasons that has forced Mr. Prasad to keep out of the electoral fray this time around.

But according to these observers even if the BSP does not have sufficient influence over the voters, its entry into the fray has the potential of upsetting Mr. Prasad's applecart if he were to contest.

The BSP's State secretary, N. Mahesh, is expected to contest the polls.

Since the Lok Sabha elections of 1980, Mr. Prasad won the elections in this constituency on four consecutive occasions as a Congress candidate. But his apparent invincibility was shattered by Janata Dal candidate, Siddaraju, in 1996 and 1998. Mr. Prasad, however, was re-elected in 1999 when he contested as a Janata Dal (United) candidate.

Mr. Siddaraju has since changed his political affiliation. He is with the Congress and is among the likely candidates the party may field in the constituency apart from the film director, Mahendra, who hails from Kollegal.

Even if Mr. Prasad keeps out of the electoral arena this time, the Janata Dal (S) is likely to consult him before finalising the party's candidature.

Mr. Prasad's follower and Chairman of Coconut Development Board of Kerala, Kagalavadi Shivanna, is among the likely candidates of the Janata Dal (S), besides H. Govindaiah, who contested the last time.

The BJP's support base in the constituency appears limited to urban centres. Though the party, which had an electoral understanding with the Janata Dal (U) during the previous polls, had not fielded a candidate for the 1999 polls, the party will enter the fray this time around as if to queer the electoral pitch.

FACT FILE

Number of voters 11,01,851

Dalits and Lingayats constitute 35 per cent and 40 per cent of the electorate

V. Srinivas Prasad has won five of the seven elections since 1980

BSP gaining popularity among voters

BJP influence limited to urban areas

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