Bangalore: Getting its caste equation right could prove to be a touchy task for the Congress as it sets out to finalise candidates for Karnataka. Vote banks are polarised on caste lines and communities like Lingayats and Kurubas may not take kindly to moves to take away their share of Lok Sabha seats.
With Congress general secretary B.K. HaripÂrasad shortlisted for two seats—Bangalore North and Karwar— there are three Idigas including Hariprasad in the Congress list. The Kurubas and Lingayats—who are bigger in numbers—are worried if this will leave them deprived.
For Lingayats, there is another point of worry. The Kurubas are eyeing Koppal, now listed for a Lingayat leader. If they have their way, Lingayat dominated Hyderabad-Karnataka will have no Lingayat Congress candidate.
Next: LS probables ‘caste’ Cong in a fix
LS probables ‘caste’ Cong in a fix
N.B. Hombal | DC
Bangalore: The Congress party will have to do a balancing act in getting right its caste equations in Karnataka after listing three candidates of the Idiga community as probables for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
With AICC general secretary, B.K. Hariprasad who belongs to the community, reportedly evincing keen interest in contesting the polls from Uttar Kannada or Babgalore North parliamentary constituencies, communities such as Lingayats, Kurubas and minority leaders are wondering if they will lose out on their seats.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a sÂenior leader in the KarÂnaÂtaÂka Pradesh Congress CoÂmmÂittee (KPCC) observed: “ThÂouÂgh Hariprasad has not openly expressed his desire to contest the elections yet, his name has been empanelled for two constituencies (Uttar Kannada and Bangalore North) because his supporters are pushing for his candidature.
With his entry, the Idigas’ list of probables has gone up to three from two compared to the 2009 Lok Sabha list. In 2009, former chief minister, late S. Bangarappa was the Congress candidate from Shimoga, while former KPCC president, B. Janardhan Poojary contested from Dakshin Kannada and both lost.”
The source added that going by the KPCC Election CoÂmmÂittee’s list of probables, apÂart from Hariprasad, Poojary and Kumar BanÂgaÂrappa have been empanelled for Dakshina Kannada and Shimoga constituencies. “The Idiga community constitutes less than six percent, while Kurubas another Backward Class community, comprise eight percent and Lingayats nearly 17 per cent of the total population.
With HaÂripÂrÂasad’s entry, the caste calculations of the party may get upset. As a result, Kuruba leaders have upped their demand for the Koppal Lok Sabha constituency where the party has traditionally put up a Lingayat.
“If the Kuraba leaders’ demand is met, the entire Hyderabad-Karnataka region dominated by Lingayats, which has five parliament seats, will have no Lingayat candidate for the first time”, the source said.
Minority community leaders are already upset with the decision to put up ageing former chief minister, N. Dharam Singh in Bidar. Their rationale: Bidar Lok Sabha constituency is Muslim dominated. And if the party tries to put up a Lingayat candidate in Haveri, it will again be at the cost of a Muslim candidate.
“After closely examining the caste permutations, party leaders have decided to discuss this issue with central leaders, when the party's screening committee headed by Vayalar Ravi meets shortly,” the source explained.
