The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): Karnataka is poised for a significant electoral showdown this Friday as 14 of its 28 Lok Sabha constituencies go to polls in the first phase. The Congress, buoyed by a recent Assembly election victory, is contesting all 14 seats, while the BJP has candidates in 11 seats and its ally JD(S) in three. This marks a departure from last May’s Assembly elections which featured a three-way fight including the JD(S).
The constituencies in this phase are largely in southern and coastal Karnataka, including key areas like Bangalore Rural, Mysore, and Chamarajanagar. A total of 247 candidates are vying for votes, with a substantial security force of over 50,000 civil police and 65 companies of central forces deployed to ensure peaceful voting among the more than 2.88 crore eligible voters.
Significant candidates include JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy and BJP’s Tejasvi Surya and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, adding to the high stakes of the election. Security measures are notably stringent in Bangalore Rural where all polling stations will be webcast, reflecting concerns about electoral transparency and safety.
This phase is particularly critical for both state and national political figures. For the Congress, under D.K. Shivakumar’s leadership, and the BJP, led in the state by B.Y. Vijayendra, the results will test their strategies and influence within their parties and among the electorate. The JD(S), looking to rebound from Assembly losses, is also under pressure to demonstrate its ongoing relevance in its stronghold regions.
The outcomes in these 14 seats will set the tone for the remaining phases of the elections and could influence the broader political landscape in South India, where Karnataka remains a key battleground for all major parties.