Channapatna by polls-Nikhil has a slight edge against C P Yogeshwar

BM Team

In a pitched battle against Veteran C P Yogeshwar, JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy gets a slight advantage in Channapatna. Channapatna was represented by Nikhil’s father H D Kumaraswamy, who had to vacate the seat to become a Union Minister necessitating a By-Election.

Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda, 92 years old, has camped in the constituency for 6 days, holding 30 meetings including public rallies to ensure his grandson wins. This has infused more strength to the party cadre who are campaigning door to door convincing voters to vote for Nikhil. This enthusiasm cannot be seen in the Congress party cadre as their enthusiasm doesn’t match with the JD(S) camp. There is a considerable sympathy factor for Nikhil in the rural areas. As of now JD(S) has an upper hand in Bevoor, Maloor and Akkur Zilla Panchayats, whereas Congress has its big base in Kodamballi and Honganur ZPs including town areas where Muslims are in a large number.

C P Yogeshwar joining Congress has not gone well with many in the rural areas and they want to prove themselves strong by voting against him defying his decision.

Zameer Ahmed’s racist comments against Kumaraswamy and challenging him saying Muslims can purchase his whole family did not go well with the Vokkaligas. Zameer was already a controversial figure in state on the Waqf board issues adding to the worries of C P Yogeshwar. BJP’s votes of around 15,000 can also make a difference in the results.

Congress has put all its efforts to win this elections by campaigning across the constituency, but the odds favour Nikhil with just a day to go for voting.