Zilla Panchayat polls: Siddaramaiah tightening grip on North Karnataka?

 

The inclusion of Vinay Kulkarni, a Panchamsali Lingayat in the Cabinet and attempts to divert the anger of farmers agitating over Kalasa Banduri issue against the Centre are part of his plan to get into the BJP stronghold in Mumbai-Karnataka. Party sources said Mr Siddaramaiah wanted to build a coalition of panchamsalis, who constitute 50 per cent of Lingayats in Dharwad, Vijayapura and Bagalakote districts, Reddy Lingayats, OBCs and Muslims.  “Since the BJP has virtually sidelined Panchamsalis, the Congress decided to send a message through Mr Kulkarni and hopefully we can consolidate the voters in north Karnataka,” sources said. 

 

They revealed that Mr Siddaramaiah’s participation in a protest organised by Congress leader C.S. Shivalli in Delhi to protest against the failure of the Centre to resolve the Mahadayi crisis was a clear indication that he wanted to divert the anger of farmers against the Centre. “The protest was planned even before his Delhi visit. He did not want to get into a controversy of flying to Delhi to solely participate in a protest. So he flew to Delhi on the pretext of meeting Mr Nariman and participated in the dharna,” sources said. 

 

The CM feels that by turning the anger of farmers against the BJP government, voters would come to his rescue in the taluk and ZP elections. But those opposed to his way of politics within his party have a point or two to counter Mr Siddaramaiah’s argument. Since Mr Kulkarni had once earned a bad name by assaulting public servents and is yet to grow as a community leader beyond his constituency, it might be difficult for Congress to woo Panchamsali votes using his name.