The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Bengaluru): In the Dharwad parliamentary constituency of Karnataka, a significant electoral battle is unfolding as Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, Pralhad Joshi, seeks his fifth consecutive term. This election season, Joshi faces a notable challenge from Fakir Dingaleshwara Swamiji, a Lingayat pontiff who has declared his candidacy as an independent, amidst controversies within the BJP over candidate selection.
The Congress party is also making strategic moves in Dharwad by nominating Vinod Asuti, a young leader with close ties to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Asuti, representing the Kuruba community, aims to consolidate minority and Dalit votes, which are substantial in the constituency.
Joshi’s reelection campaign is leveraging the substantial Lingayat and Hindutva vote banks in the region. Despite internal party dynamics hinting at discontent—evidenced by former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar’s shift to contest from Belagavi after a ticket dispute—senior BJP figures like B.S. Yediyurappa have endorsed Joshi, downplaying any internal opposition.
Dingaleshwara Swamiji’s entrance into the fray has stirred the local political landscape, with accusations against Joshi of undermining Lingayat leadership, a claim from which other prominent Lingayat leaders have distanced themselves. This schism highlights the complex interplay of regional religious and political influences that could sway voter sentiments.
Dharwad, with a diverse voter base spanning 18 lakh citizens, has traditionally not aligned strictly along caste or religious lines, according to journalists and political analysts in the region. However, the current political climate may test this historical trend, as the constituency grapples with the overlapping influences of caste dynamics, party performance, and candidate merit.
As the campaigns intensify, all eyes will be on how these dynamics play out, influencing the strategies of the BJP and Congress as they vie for this pivotal seat in the upcoming elections.