Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has elevated the stakes in the upcoming Mysuru Lok Sabha election, turning it into a prestige battle for the Congress party.
Personally spearheading the campaign, Siddaramaiah is aiming to defend his home turf against the BJP's formidable candidate, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamraja Wadiyar, the scion of the Mysuru royal family.
The entry of Wadiyar into the electoral fray has shifted the focus of the election, making it a proxy battle between Siddaramaiah and the BJP. This development has added an extra layer of intensity to the electoral race in the cultural capital of Karnataka.
The Mysuru Lok Sabha seat encompasses both the Mysuru and Kodagu districts. In the 2023 Assembly elections, Congress secured five out of the eight assembly seats in this constituency, while Janta Dal (Secular) won two and BJP managed to clinch one seat.
The BJP and JDS have formed an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. Initially, Siddaramaiah considered fielding his son, Yathindra, but the BJP's decision to field Wadiyar, replacing its two-term sitting MP Pratap Simha, prompted him to reassess his strategy.
The Wadiyars, with their historical significance and reputation for 'enlightened rule,' command immense respect across the district and the state. Yaduveer's predecessor, Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadiyar, contested LS polls five times, emerging victorious in four of them.
Despite the strong lineage and historical backing, the BJP is grappling with internal challenges. Supporters of Simha have expressed dissatisfaction over denying him a ticket, and there seems to be a lack of coordination between BJP and JDS leaders on the ground.
In a bid to bolster his campaign, Siddaramaiah has reached out to erstwhile rivals and played the caste card, highlighting Lakshman's Vokkaliga background against Yaduveer's Urs community.
To counter the Congress's narrative, the BJP has mobilized key campaigners like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa for rallies in the constituency. JDS chief Deve Gowda and his son HD Kumaraswamy have also extended their support to Wadiyar, adding further intrigue to this tightly contested electoral battle.
As the region goes for polls on Friday, all eyes will be on Mysuru to witness the outcome of this high-stakes political showdown, which is expected to have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of Karnataka.
