Bengaluru: With six children of Karnataka Ministers in the Lok Sabha poll arena, the campaign scene is getting spiced up in the high-stakes elections for the ruling Congress in the state. Prabha Mallikarjun, wife of Minister S S Mallikarjun, is also in the poll fray.
The grand old party tried its best to make several ministers enter the Lok Sabha election fray but none of them agreed and, instead, they proposed the candidature of their family members.
'Now, deliver' is the stern message of the Congress leadership to the ministers, putting the onus on them to ensure the victory of their kin, according to party sources.
The Congress secured only one seat in Karnataka in the 2019 general elections, and has now set an ambitious target of winning in 15 to 20 constituencies in the coming polls.
Elections in 28 constituencies in the State will be held in two phases on April 26 and May 7.
Sons of Laxmi Hebbalkar, Eshwar Khandre and H C Mahadevappa— Mrinal Ravindra Hebbalkar, Sagar Khandre and Sunil Bose— have been fielded from Belagavi (Belgaum), Bidar and Chamarajanagar, respectively.
Daughters of Satish Jarkiholi, Shivanand Patil and Ramalinga Reddy— Priyanka Jarkiholi, Samyukta Patil and Sowmya Reddy— are in contention in Chikkodi, Bagalkot and Bangalore South respectively.
Prabha Mallikarjun, wife of Minister S S Mallikarjun and daughter-in-law of veteran party leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa, is the party's nominee from Davangere.
"In this 'do or die' situation, the ministers have found the Lok Sabha election a launch pad for their children and relatives. We have to see how these ministers succeed in their mission," a Congress insider said.
Barring Sowmya Reddy, who is a former MLA, none of them have any legislative experience in elections. Stakes are high for some other ministers as well.
The party has fielded Radhakrishna Doddamani, son-in-law of Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge in the family's home turf of Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), a seat held by the BJP.
Kharge's son and Minister Priyank Kharge has taken charge of spearheading the campaign in this segment, where his father had lost in the 2019 general elections.
"Priyank has taken this election as a prestige issue given the fact that the Congress president hails from here and had represented this constituency in the past in the Lok Sabha," a Congress leader said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month launched the BJP's formal campaign in Kalaburagi in what was seen as an aggressive message to the Congress.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress chief D K Shivakumar's brother D K Suresh is seeking reelection in Bangalore Rural, where the BJP and JD(S) have fielded noted cardiologist and son-in-law of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.
The Congress which came to power in the state in May last year is seeking to ride on its five guarantee schemes of the government.
Sowmya Reddy, who is contesting from Bangalore South asked the women voters during a recent roadshow - "Do you travel in the buses? Which places have you visited in the recent past? Do you pay or travel for free?".
She was referring to 'Shakti' guarantee that offers free rides to Karnataka women in non-luxury government buses within the state. Reddy explained to the people about the four other guarantees— 'Gruha Lakshmi', 'Gruha Jyoti', 'Yuva Nidhi' and 'Anna Bhagya'.
"Who brought 'Achchhe Din'? Is it Congress or the BJP? Which 'Achchhe Din' you will vote for?" Reddy asked the women voters.
In Belagavi, Mrinal Ravindra Hebbalkar, is taking on BJP candidate and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.
In campaign meetings, Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar reminded the crowd how Shettar had joined Congress when the BJP denied him a ticket in the 2023 Assembly election, only to return to the saffron party a few months later.
"Shettar is from Hubballi and we are from Belagavi. We know the problems prevailing here better than any 'outsider'. Today, BJP people are saying that they vote for Shettar keeping Prime Minister Narendra Modi in mind, but I want to know why he joined Congress and abused the BJP, Modi and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa," the minister asked.
The BJP swept the 2019 general elections in Karnataka winning 25 out of the 28 seats, while an independent backed by the party also won. The Congress and JD(S) which fought the elections together, secured one seat each.
Comments
Mr. Udbhav,
Please mind your own business, we are demanding a flag for whole state not for any extremist group like shivasene.
Religion, : Everyone should know clearly about the basic of religion.
1)What is religion,
2)Why is it required.
3) What will happen if not followed it.
1) The religion is not invention of mankind. It is set of instructions prescribed by the creator of this universe.
2) It is required how to lead the entire in this world. Also to succeed in other part of the life which is after the death.
3) If not followed, the God should say clearly what is the consequence of violating its teaching.
It is mostly believed by most of the religious people.
the question is which is the right religion.
People might think is there another life after this life. Yes definitely there is. If not why the God has created this world. He has not created for his fun. there is a strong reason, the people will understand if they really read and understand Quran.
Therefore I strongly believe, no need to make new religion.
Also there can not be more than 1religion. Because all of us believe without any dispute there is only 1God. Then how is it possible to have more than 1religion. This is common sense. But people should have patience, wisdom to find the truth.
study some existing religions.
All of them are not true for the reasons above.
Choose the religion, which is the right religion.
Dare to know and follow it. This is your right.
Please dont react Chaddi Naren...Let him do bla, blaaa, blaaaa...when there is no reaction one day he will stop....wuffff....
Modiji thoda yahan bhi dhyan dijiyoo.... instead of giving attention towards cow issues, 3 talaq issues and Women rights in Islam could you please turn towards to improve the quality of Indian Airlines..During the rainy season, to travel by AI or Indian Airlines means, feeling like we are going to committing suicide.
The more someone hate Islam, Islam grows more ,
Alhamdulillah
viren dont b upset ,your statistics are wrong , b a truthful and NIA is busy now wil try later
Every state should have its right to practice whatever deems to be right for them.
Nobody should impose, dictate to say what should they choose for
Food habits, eat, drink, practicing religion, language, etc.,
IT is their right. They have free choice as long as it does not hurt others.
Flag is not a big issue. It can be a symbol of identity.
This man is talking exactly like our Eshwarappa. These people became leaders not on merit, it is at the cost of stupidity of their followers.
Innalilahi wainna ilaihi raajivoon..
A big shock, and unbelievable news.
'Ya Allah' grant him place in jannah Aameen...and grant him magfirat and sabr for his family members..
Exactly Viren...its not a big loss for Hindus
But its a proof that Islam continues to be fastest growing religion
In school assembly they tell us to say...
All Indians are my brothers and sisters... then why we marry Indians.
Teaching us wrong things..
That's why Rajiv Gandhi married a foreigner. But why did Modi married a Indian women.
Masha Allah..... May Allah give Hidaya to Viren Kotian....
Hinduism is fast growing religion in the world or terrorists growing rapidly in Hinduism, please make sure what you have written is correct and in conscious stage?? Apart from India where you can get the majority of your religion viren.. be matured and talk sensibly!
ALLAHU AKBAR FOR GOOD NEWS..SUBHANALLAH
FIRST TELL THEM THE MEANING OF IT. WHICH GOES AGAINST ALL RELIGIOUS BOOKS
Dear Viren,
This is not a fake religion or man made religion.
ISLAM is the TRUTH
YOU should verify by all means to know the TRUTH.
QURAN is a guidance to MANKIND not just Muslims.
Not just indians thru out the world ISLAM will grow day by day...
It is not acceptable in ISLAM to force anybody to become muslim. ALLAH knows what is in our HEART.
Muslim means one who submits to the will of God ALLAH.
There is no God but ALLAH and Muhammad is the messenger of ALLAH who conveyed to Worship One God ALLAH.
Allahu Akbar. If they kill one, Allah(swt) replaces with 13! You plan, but Allah(swt) too plans, and HE is the Best Planner.
Good thinking.
When you are thinking of new religion, don't hurry.
The selection of Religion should have valued criteria and basis.
Otherwise it has no meaning.
What is the religion, not by changing name, temple. You are not dictating the religion. The religion is dictating your entire activity of the life from creed to grave.
The religion is a guidance from the God. You have to search for the right thing around you, which is already existing. When you believe in God, you should also believe the God has sent you guidance to you. It is your duty find where is that guidance.
You don't need to invent the wheels. Just look for the right thing already available around you.
Also please don't look into the people of any group, study its ideology. There are many people who represent the religion but they don't know what to covey and reach it.
May God help and guide properly.
May Allah rest Brother Bashus soul in peace.
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