Bengaluru Rural: Karnataka election depends on BJP-JDS coalition and Congress assurances

Meenakshi (name changed) from Kanakapura, 51, has been facing difficulties ever since the BJP declared Dr CN Manjunath as its candidate for the Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha seat. Her family has always voted for Congress, therefore she is eager to support Dr. Manjunath as a way of honoring him.

Her farmer husband was spared death a few years ago because to Dr. Manjunath’s prompt intervention in her capacity as the previous head of the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. “We all think Dr. Manjunath is divine.” Meenakshi said, “We had given up and I would have lost my husband six years ago if he hadn’t been there.

With 27.53 lakh votes, the Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha seat is made up of a mixture of urban and rural residents. It includes the districts of Magadi, Channapattana, Ramanagara, and Kanakapura from Ramanagara district, as well as Kunigal from Tumakuru district. Bengaluru South and RR Nagar are part of Bengaluru Urban. With the exception of Bengaluru Urban, JDS and Congress voters predominate in other areas. It’s interesting that nobody seems excited about the election.

There are differing opinions on the BJP-JDS alliance’s decision to field Dr. Manjunath. The New Indian Express was informed by Syed Bashiruddin of the presence of nearly 2.7 lakh voters in the Channapattana seat, which is home to several toy producers, in the Kalanagar ward.

“We have supported JDS candidate HD Kumaraswamy for years; in 2023, he received nearly one lakh votes from this constituency alone.” He won thanks to our votes. But now that he’s allied with the BJP, he has wounded our feelings. “From this place, we will cast one lakh votes for DK Suresh,” he said. More over 2,700 voters in Kalanagar are craftspeople.

A combination of urban and rural people live in Bengaluru Rural | Nagaraja Gadekal

Conversely, a lot of people refer to Dr. Manjunath as “Dalada manushya” (the man from JDS). Nijalingappa from Magadi taluk’s Doddamudigere says he wants Dr. Manjunath to emerge victorious. “What more reason do you need? He’s our Deve Gowda’s son-in-law. He’s Dalada manushya,” he said

Meanwhile, many women in Magadi, Ramanagara, and Channapattana, who claim the programs have given them financial independence, have thrown their support to the Congress, which is counting on its guarantee schemes. But males are not exactly content. Magadi resident Hucchaiah said that he is supporting Manjunath because he does not want Congress to win.

Women are entitled to free travel, additional advantages, and cash support of Rs 2,000. What’s in store for us? Why should I vote for them since Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has done nothing to help us? He inquired.

Then there are some who haven’t made up their minds, particularly ladies. They are not allowed to vote for Congress in spite of the assurance programs.

All governments are excellent in their own way. As recommended by our panchayat members, we cast our votes. After all, we go to the panchayat whenever we need anything,” said Kempamma (not her real name), a resident of Chikkasulikere, Ramanagara.

However, the neighboring village’s Devamma (name changed) supports the Congress candidate.

“Lord Shiva will not forgive me if I don’t vote for those who give me free rice and money, and because of whom I can eat peacefully,” the woman remarked. “We may get Rs 500 or Rs 1000 from other parties.”

Kunigal first seems to be in favor of the Congress, but in Bengaluru South and Rajarajeshwarinagar, the BJP is superior. Ramanagara native Ravikumar, a former civil engineer who is now a farmer, predicted that Suresh may not have an easy victory this time.

A portion of the public supports Suresh because of his job and locality. Some, however, are rooting for Manjunath to triumph. This time, it’s fascinating,” he said.