Hubballi: The Modi wave appears to have overpowered the caste factor in Mumbai -Karnataka as the BJP continued to dominate the region these Lok Sabha polls.
The Lingayat factor failed to come to the rescue of the Congress as its strategy to field candidates from the community against the BJP's Lingayat MPs did not work. And former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah failed to prove his mettle in Bagalkot despite winning from Badami the last Assembly elections. Although he fielded Veena Kashappanavar, a Lingayat, in Bagalkot eyeing the community's votes, BJP MP, P C Gaddigoudar retained the seat for the fourth term. And senior BJP leader, K S Eshwarappa, got a shot in the arm, as he won from Bagalkot.
The JD(S) too could do nothing against the BJP in both Vijayapur and Uttara Kannada as Union ministers, Ramesh Jigajinagi and Ananth Kumar Hegde won with huge margins in the absence of strong candidates against them.
Mr Pralhad Joshi of the BJP retained Dharwad for a fourth consecutive term, defeating former minister, Vinay Kulkarni, who could not woo the Veerashaivas /Lingayats. The Congress-JD(S) rift helped the victory of Mr Ramesh Jigajinagi of the BJP in Vijayapur. And the Congress had to face the wrath of the Muslims in Haveri after it refused to field a candidate from the community although it has represented the constituency for ten terms.
Belagavi MP, Suresh Angadi managed to retain his seat, riding on a Modi wave for the fourth consecutive term, against Dr Virupakshappa Sadhunavar of the Congress. He was helped by disgruntled Congress leader, Ramesh Jarkiholi campaigning for him.
In Chikkodi, BJP candidate, Annasaheb Jolle defeated Congress MP, Prakash Hukkeri , who was reluctant to contest the poll. And former Union minister, G M Siddeshwar won from Davangere for a fourth term against Mr Manjappa HB of the Congress, who too was a reluctant contestant. Besides the Modi wave, Mr Siddeshwar was helped by his Lingayat community's support in the poll.
