Hangal seat is a big worry for Bommai
If the party loses Hangal's seat, it would bring huge embarrassment to BJP as well as Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Bommai takes bye-elections as prestige, camped in both Sindgi and Hangal for more than two weeks for the campaign.
Bengaluru: Normally, the ruling party will win bye-elections. But ruling BJP is trailing in the Hangal constituency and struggling to retain its seat has indicated that the saffron party is facing anti-incumbency factor.
Though party central leadership replaced its mascot B.S.Yediyurappa from CM post and installed low profile Basavaraj Bommai, the change of leadership in the state could not able to make over slagging image of the party. Due to corruption charges, nepotism and misdeeds of the BSY government, the party leadership has taken a decision to change the leadership citing the age factor of Lingayat strongmen.
Mr. Bommai has put his effort to make image change over soon after he takes oath as CM. Bye elections are considered as an acid test for his leadership to face 2023 Assembly elections. So he put all-out effort to win both the seats and deputed his cabinet ministers in both the constituencies. Saffron party has also deputed its key strategists in both the constituencies to consolidate Hindu votes. Instead of facing elections on the developmental agenda, it has raised national issues and Modi leadership at the Centre.
On the contrary, Congress has been more aggressive in elections campaign raised price rises and misrule of previous BSY government in the state. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah reached out to the voters, highlighting the ‘bad governance’ of the Modi-led Centre and Bommai led state. More importantly, Congress has effectively raised price rise issues in the bye poll campaign.
Set back to Bommai in Hangal
Party is struggling in Hangal constituency if results go against the ruling party is would bring huge embracement to the party in general and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in particular, because Hangal is adjacent to Shiggaon constituency, represented by CM
BJP win in Sindgi is certain
So far 13th round of counting is completed, in Sindgi BJP candidate Ramesh Busanura is leading over by 20,000 votes, thus BJP win is all most certain in Sindgi, former minister and senior BJP leader Laxman Savadi, who is incharge of Sindgi said that the party will win by a margin of 25,000 to 30,000 votes.
In Hangal, 8th round of counting is completed, Congress candidate Srinivas Mane is leading by 4000 votes by BJP candidate Shivarj Sajjanvar. It is a big worry for the ruling BJP. BJP state general secretary, N. Ravikumar has still confident that BJP will retain Hangal seat. Hoblis and Panchayats, where BJP is a stronghold, counting has yet to start, after 10th round of counting, BJP will get the lead in remaining wards, hoblis and panchayats, he said.
