Hubballi: With almost hundred per cent voting reported in the election to the double-seat Dharwad constituency, BJP candidate Pradeep Shettar, brother of Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar and Congress candidate Srinivas Mane may emerge victorious as no contestant has posed a tough challenge to them.
The Mahadayi movement has not had any adverse effect on the elections as almost all panchayat members in Gadag, Dharwad and Haveri districts exercised their franchise. Only eight GP members of Arekurahatti village of Navalgund taluk boycotted the elections demanding early implementation of Kalasa Banduri project. But Navalgund tahasildar Naveen claimed that these members boycotted polls seeking separate GP status for their village.
The Mahadayi protesters staged an agitation by blocking the Hubballi-Vijaypura highway without disturbing the election process. The constituency has 7,929 votes with 99.46 polling reported. Congress is expected to gain upper hand in Gadag and Haveri districts as it has 12 MLAs out of 17 in the constituency. Therefore, the party may win by securing first preferential votes. Most of the panchayat members have backed Congress in Gadag, the home district of minister H.K. Patil. Pradeep Shettar and Srinivas Mane may secure an equal vote share in Dharwad as both candidates hail from the district.
Meanwhile, Pradeep Shettar is banking on Haveri district which has become a stronghold of BJP after merger of KJP. The influence of former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa and C.M. Udasi may work in his favour. The Congress has four legislators in the district. Moreover, the majority of recently elected GP members are loyal to Congress.
The JD(S) may not get many votes in the three districts except Navalgund taluk which is represented by a party legislator. Party leader Basavaraj Horatti abstained from voting as he is upset with the party top brass for failing to allot ticket to his loyalist.
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