Daijiworld Media Network - Bagalkote (SP)

Bagalkote, Apr 24: BJP has not yet announced its candidate for Badami constituency from where chief minister (CM), Siddaramaiah, will be contesting in addition to Chamundeshwari. At the same, MP, B Sriramulu, has expressed his readiness to fight against Siddaramaiah.

Sriramulu has already been a BJP candidate for Molakalmuru constituency. If he is chosen to be fielded from Badami, it will be his second constituency. Lingayat community has formidable presence in this constituency and this community has been known as traditional vote bank for BJP. BJP leaders assume that they can corner votes of Valmiki community which can tilt the balance, by pitting Sriramulu against the CM. The party feels that in addition to Lingayat and Valmiki communities, it will be able to get some others to vote for it, and register victory in Badami constituency.

Siddaramaiah has been fielded here with an eye on votes of Kurubas, second largest community after Lingayat in Badami constituency. Congress also feels that Lingayat votes will be divided because of its initiatives towards giving the minority religion tag to this community, which will benefit the Congress. The party leaders also feel that votes of Kurubas, weaver community, Muslims and Dalit will automatically be cast in favour of the Congress, and hence Siddaramaiah will have an easy victory.

There are some who say that former minister, Satish Jarkiholi, can alone turn the votes of Valmiki community away from Sriramulu in favour of Congress. It is said that Jarkiholi has responded positively to this suggestion.

Siddaramaiah will file nomination papers today at 12.30, followed by B Sriramulu at 1 pm. BJP state president, Yeddyurappa and former chief minister, Jagadish Shettar, will accompany Sriramulu when filing nomination, sources stated.