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Mysuru/Madikeri: The Congress in Kodagu and Mysuru is poised to emphasize the Vokkaliga factor to sway the community's votes in its favor, following the BJP's decision to deny a ticket to two-time MP Pratap Simha for the forthcoming parliamentary elections in the Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency.
On March 13, the BJP replaced Mr. Simha with Mysuru royal scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar for the seat. Mr Simha, is a member of the Vokkaliga community. BJP after not giving ticket to Mr Simha, the saffron party faced backlash on social media, with many expressing their discontent. Social media platforms were inundated with messages urging voters to choose NOTA as a means to 'teach a lesson' to the BJP leadership in Karnataka.
To counter Mr. Wadiyar, the Congress is considering various names suggested by the local leadership, including KPCC spokesperson M. Lakshman and Mysuru district Congress president Vijay Kumar. Sources within the Congress party indicate that the selection of the candidate will heavily factor in caste considerations and demographic arithmetic.
Also Read: BJP drops Pratap Simha, fields Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar for Kodagu-Mysore seat
“It's perceived within the Congress that Mr. Wadiyar's candidacy has actually made their task easier, as the constituency boasts around 500,000 Vokkaliga voters, many of whom are disgruntled by the perceived 'insult' to Mr. Simha. The Congress aims to attract these voters,” sources in Congress said.
Besides managing caste dynamics, the Congress confronts the significant challenge of challenging the 'royal aura' linked with Mr. Wadiyar. The Wadiyar family continues to evoke respect in specific regions of Mysuru.
In 2019, the JD(S) formed an alliance with the Congress to oppose the BJP. However, despite the apparent advantage in caste arithmetic favoring the alliance, voters chose to re-elect BJP candidate Mr. Simha. Now, the tables have turned as the BJP has forged an alliance with the JD(S) to counter the Congress.
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