BJP & JDS alliances put Pratap Simha's seat in jeopardy, Sa.Ra. Mahesh seeks Kodagu-Mysuru ticket

Pratap Simha and Sa Ra Mahesh

Mysore: It is Known that the national party BJP and the regional party JD(S) have forged pre-election alliances with the aim of securing 135 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka. This strategic move is intended to prevent the ruling Congress from securing a significant number of seats. While the details of seat sharing between BJP and JD(S) remain a mystery, a recent development has emerged with JD(S) leader Sa.Ra. Mahesh is eyeing to stand as a coalition candidate for the Kodagu-Mysore Lok Sabha seat.

Former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, who visited Kodagu district alongside Mr. Mahesh recently conducted a meeting with JD(S) party workers in the region. During this meeting, Mr. Kumaraswamy engaged with the party workers, and sources in the party told The Kodagu Express that he conveyed his decision to nominate Mr. Mahesh as the candidate for the Kodagu-Mysore Lok Sabha Constituency.

The JD(S) intends to propose to the BJP that they nominate their candidate for the Kodagu-Mysore Lok Sabha constituency, as the regional party aims to maintain its strength in the Vokkaliga belt.

Pratap Simha in fear ?

Amid these developments, there is growing apprehension for the incumbent BJP MP Pratap Simha, as there is a possibility of him losing the ticket if the BJP opt to allocate the constituency to the JD(S) party.

Despite the uncertainty, Mr. Simha remains optimistic and has expressed confidence by stating that he anticipates winning the elections with a margin of at least two lakh votes against any Congress candidate.

BJP washout in Kodagu

During the assembly elections held in May this year, the hilly district Kodagu, comprising two Assembly constituencies, Madikeri and Virajpet, has traditionally been a stronghold of the BJP for the past two decades, with Hindutva playing a significant role. However, in the elections, the BJP encountered challenges in both constituencies due to anti-incumbency sentiments and ultimately lost to the Congress.

K.G. Bopaiah had previously held the representation for the Virajpet constituency. In the elections, Congress candidate A.S. Ponnanna secured victory in a closely contested battle.

Similarly, in Madikeri Assembly constituency Appachu Ranjan, who was seeking a fourth consecutive win, faced defeat against Congress candidate Mantar Gowda. All these developments may help the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections, says Congress leaders from Kodagu.

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