Political parties in a fix as Marathi voters hold the key in Belgaum

Belgaum: All candidates in the fray for the coming general elections in Belgaum and Chikkodi constituency are finding it tough to do a balancing act and take the people of both the Kannada and Marathi sections into confidence.

While leaders of the Marathi and Kannada groups indulge in clashes due to the language conflict on the border, the candidates in both the assembly and Lok Sabha elections adopt a neutral stand. Political parties are desperate to win the hearts of Marathi people ignoring their anti-Karnataka activities which Marathi leaders have been involved in for the last few decades in Belgaum.

A substantial 4 lakh plus voters are Marathi-speaking who could play a key role in the elections to be held to Belgaum parliamentary constituency. Candidates are leaving no stone unturned to woo the Marathi people and leaders to ensure that a major chunk of the Marathi votes swing in their favour. Fearing the consequences, some of the MLAs and MPs of the region bocotted the mayoral polls which are fought between Kannada and Marathi groups. In the recent mayoral polls, both sitting MPs from Belgaum and Chikkodi, Suresh Angadi and Ramesh Katti did not participate in the polls. Chikkodi constituency too has a large number of Marathi voters in parts of Nipani, Raibag, Hukkeri and Sadalaga areas. The stand adopted by political parties in most of the local body elections also is vital.

Based on local political developments, the Congress and BJP leaders work out their strategies and ensure that their party's image remains intact among both the Marathi and Kannada sections. To take the Marathi people into confidence at the local level, the legislators concerned give a chance to Marathi leaders in the local elections. On several occasions, the MPs and MLAs of Belgaum have stood by Marathi candidates in the past to appease the Marathi population.