Will KRRS’ Dharwad entry upset poll calculations?

The constituency has a total 7,500 voters comprising around 6,000 Gram Panchayat members. The Mahadayi agitation has gained momentum in rural parts of the region with the active involvement of a large number of local governing body members and drought-hit farmers. KRRS on Tuesday, finalized the candidature of Siddu Teji who has been spearheading the agitation for early implementation of Kalasa Banduri project.

He is confident of support from panchayat members who will play a key role in deciding the fate of candidates. Moreover, KRRS leaders K.S. Puttannaiah and Devanur Mahadev will tour for more than a week to campaign for their candidate in the region which has been witnessing Kalasa movement in every village. Congress and BJP leaders are renewing their strategy as they are facing the wrath of farmers for indulging in a blame game without finding a solution to the water dispute.

“We have held several rounds of protests including observing a bandh over Mahadayi in the last four months. But political leaders have failed to find an early solution to the water dispute. Most Gram Panchayat members have understood that Congress and BJP leaders are politicizing the issue. I will visit every village to create awareness about the failures of political parties to resolve problems confronting farmers though Congress and BJP are spending crores of rupees to win the election,” KRRS candidate Siddu Teji said.

KRRS has also given indications of fielding its candidates in the forthcoming taluk and zilla panchayat elections to capitalize on its support base after launch of the Mahadayi movement.