It's a Siddaramaiah charm offensive in Mysuru

Bengaluru: With the state Assembly polls slated for May 12, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken time out from his busy schedule to focus on Chamundeshwari constituency from where he is expected to contest these elections.

According to party sources, Mr Siddaramaiah is likely to stay in Mysuru for the next five days to visit villages in the constituency with reports from various agencies indicating a tough battle between him and sitting Chamundeshwari MLA, G T Deve Gowda of the JD(S).

He is reportedly worried about the strong hold of JD(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda on the Vokkaliga voters, who are in a majority along with the Lingayats in the constituency. His worry is greater as he is not a favourite with the Veerashaiva/Lingayats either, as they are upset with the Congress for dividing the community on the issue of a minority status for it.

With the forecast not being exactly in his favour, Mr Siddaramaiah, who is hoping to win a second term to the Assembly these elections, is taking no chances and has begun holding consultations with leaders of various communities to win them over. He has also deployed his men to almost all villages to interact with voters.

What's working against him is that he has been out of touch with the constituency for the last 10 years ever since he shifted to the newly carved Varuna constituency in the 2008 Assembly poll. Since then Mr Deve Gowda has consolidated his position in the constituency and some believe his party could have a tacit understanding with the BJP to defeat Mr Siddaramaiah.

State JDS president, H.D. Kumaraswamy is already making regular visits to Mysuru to campaign for the party, adding to the Chief Minister's troubles.

Moreover, not only does he have to campaign for himself but also for his son, Dr Yatindra, who is likely to contest from Varuna constituency. With little political experience to his name, Dr Yatindra could do with all the help he gets, which the Chief Minister is clearly aware of.