Bidar: It seems to be a three-cornered contest for the North-East Graduates Constituency seat in the Legislative Council.

Leaders of the major parties are seriously campaigning for their candidates across the constituency. Their job is not easy as the constituency is very large. It is the largest of all constituencies going to elections now — it is three times bigger than the South Teachers' Constituency and twice as big as the South East Graduates Constituency. It has more than 62,000 voters in 40 Assembly constituencies in five districts.

Campaigning mode

While the Congress is holding public rallies, the Janata Dal (Secular) is organising meetings of niche groups such as teachers, lawyers and students. The BJP is laying stress on door-to -door campaigning.

Sangameshwar, fielded by the Janata Dal (S), said he was known for his work in teachers' organisations. He had unsuccessfully contested three Council elections earlier as a candidate of the Congress and the Janata Parivar.

Manohar Maski of the BJP has been active in the field of co-operation. He is the president of the Sindhanur Urban Co-operative Bank. Suryakant Koralli of the Congress said he had been fighting for the rights of teachers and unemployed graduates. He is said to be close to former Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh and KPCC president Mallikarjun Kharge.

The BJP has held the seat since 1988. "The voters kept sending M.R. Tanga back to the Council as they were pleased with his performance. Our candidate will prove to be a worthy replacement for Dr. Tanga," says BJP district president Prakash Khandre.

Congress leaders say that people will vote for them as they are disappointed with the performance of the JD(S)-BJP government. "Graduates are considered enlightened voters. They will lead us to victory, just to teach a lesson to the Government," says Congress district general secretary Arvind Arali.

AIPJD leaders are banking on the AHINDA votes in the constituency. "We are the only party that has fielded a member of the Scheduled Tribes," says AIPJD district president Amrit Chimkod.

The Bahujan Samaj Party that has a considerable presence in Bidar and Gulbarga, has asked people to vote for any of the independents.

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