The Hindu : Karnataka News : It is sympathy versus development

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Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

It is sympathy versus development

Muralidhara Khajane

Maddur sees a ’battle’ among the giants of State politics

Onus on Krishna to reorganise party in the constituency
Deve Gowda, Yeddyurappa striving for win

MADDUR (MANDYA DISTRICT): With only three days left for the electorate to exercise their franchise, leaders of the Janata Dal (Secular), the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are straining every nerve to achieve success in the Maddur Assembly Constituency. Janata Dal(S) chief H.D. Deve Gowda, former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna and Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa are vigorously campaigning for their party candidates as they have stakes here.

Mr. Krishna has the obligation, as D.C. Thammanna, in whom he reposed faith while handing over the constituency, defected to the BJP. Now, the onus is on him to reorganise the party, besides ensuring the victory of party candidate.

Mr. Deve Gowda has the responsibility of retaining hold over the constituency represented by the Janata Dal (S) and Mr. Yeddyurappa has to substantiate the decision of admitting Mr. Thammanna. In a way, it is a triangular battle, though a proxy one, among the three prominent leaders of State politics.

Mr. Yeddyurappa, who has visited the constituency three times, has striven to make a mark in the Vokkaliga heartland and Mr. Krishna is banking on his contribution made during his regime. Besides the late Siddaraju’s contribution, Mr. Deve Gowda is trying to exploit the sympathy factor, which did miracles in Mandya on earlier occasions too.

Mr. Krishna, who is campaigning in Maddur town and surrounding villages since Sunday, is conducting road-shows and door-to-door campaigning. To abide by the election code of conduct, he, along with a handful of leaders, visited Tailuru on Monday, just 10 away from Bangalore-Mysore Highway and pleaded with the voters to bless the Congress candidate and his nephew Gurucharan.

During the campaign at Vaidyanathapura, he blamed the BJP for forcing the by-election on the people by launching Operation Lotus. “Being young, he can serve the constituency in better manner,” he noted often flashing his heart-winning smile.

His brother, S.M. Shankar, and Mr. Gurucharan are also touring the villages. “I am seeking the blessings of the electorate on the basis of work I have done as zilla panchayat president and the contribution made by my uncle,” said Mr. Gurucharan.

In contrast, Mr. Deve Gowda, who campaigned in six places on Monday, received a rousing welcome in K. Honnalagere by the party workers.

A small stage was put up in the village and many workers from nearby villages waited for nearly an hour for the former Prime Minister to arrive. A group of party workers sang a song praising the good qualities of the former MLA late Siddaraju.

Kalpana Siddaraju, widow of Siddaraju, became emotional even as she started her speech and with tears in her eyes, she urged the people to support her to accomplish the dreams of her husband who had concern for farmers and the downtrodden.

Mr. Deve Gowda, besides criticising the BJP and the Chief Minister, appealed to the people to support Ms. Kalpana Siddaraju as her victory can come as a blessing for the party’s future in the State.

But the voters are keeping their cards close to their chests while assuring every visiting leader of support. “Finally we will do, what we feel right,” said Siddaiah, an agriculture labour, who was drying ragi on the road connecting Maddur and Tailuru.

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