Ramanagar(Karnataka): Kanakapura assembly constituency is set to witness a tough contest between Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar, who has a stronghold on the constituency, minister R Ashoka from BJP and local leader Nagaraj from JDS. With Shivakumar winning this seat for decades, there is possibility of a cut-throat competition in this constituency.
BJP's strategy to defeat DK Shivakumar: It is being said that Kanakapura will not be a easy win this time. Shivakumar is definitely a powerful leader but JDS and BJP have both fielded strong candidates, giving the Congress leader a tough competition.
BJP has fielded Okkaliga leader R Ashoka as votes of Okkaliga are decisive here. Several BJP leaders including R Ashoka, state BJP in-charges Arun Singh, CT Ravi, Dr Aswath Narayan are campaigning intensively in the constituency. The wind of change is blowing in the constituency and this time the lotus will bloom in the Kanakapura fort, BJP leaders said.
"I appeal to the voters to cast their votes without any fear or anxiety. Both central and state BJP governments have given a lot of grants to Kanakapura. This is the contribution of BJP governments in the development of Kanakapura. DK Shivakumar has failed to bring a medical college to Kanakapura. This time the voters will support me" Ashoka said.
KPCC president DK Shivakumar Favors in constituency: Shivakumar, who has been elected as an MLA for seven consecutive times, was an MLA from Satanur constituency for four times before the Kanakapura assembly constituency came into existence. Since 2008, he has been constantly winning in Kanakapura constituency and is an undefeated leader in this area for the last 15 years. Also, his victory margin has been increasing in every election which is a proof of the people's support.
This apart, Shivakumar has been portrayed as the chief ministerial candidate this time. Political analysts said that even if BJP's Ashoka is in the fray, he has no stake in the game. Ashoka is a powerful Okkaliga leader but he has no major contributions to boast about in this constituency. He is just a guest in this constituency who has come to the field to accept our hospitality, Congress leaders said.
DK Shivakumar's wife Usha Sivakumar campaign: This time, Shivakumar's wife Usha and daughter are campaigning on behalf of the Congress candidate. Usually Shivakumar's wife is less involved in public events. Usha Shivakumar said that her husband will surely win the elections.
"There is a good response in Kanakapura. Everyone is receiving me with love. It is the High Command's decision to make Shivakumar the Chief Minister of Karnataka. I am confident that the people of the constituency will support Shivakumar again" Usha Shivakumar said.
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Local leader from JDS: JDS has fielded a local candidate in the Kanakapura constituency to fight the Congress and BJP candidates. Senior party leaders including HD Deve Gowda, HD Kumaraswamy had also contested in Kanakapur when Satanur constituency existed. PGR Sindhya, who was the leader of Janata Parivar, had won many times as MLA from Kanakapur. Even today, JDS has its traditional votes here. So there are workers in Kanakapura who will show party loyalty regardless of who the candidate, political insiders said.
In the last election, JDS fielded Narayan Gowda as its candidate at the last moment and the party bagged 47,000 votes despite not much campaigning was done. ''I am canvassing the development works of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy who are JDS leaders. Kumaraswamy will be the next Chief Minister. Congress and BJP parties have an internal agreement. There is a good opinion about JDS. i will win'' Nagaraj said.
