Will JD(S) spoil Congress chances in Bidar?

BIDAR: With the Congress and BJP  poised for a close contest in the  Bidar North Assembly by-election of February 13,  it all depends now on how well JD(S) candidate,  Mohammed Ayaz Khan fares in the poll. Should  he do well he could take away some of  the votes of Congress candidate, Firoz Khan and tilt the balance in favour of the BJP.

Although the mood in the ruling Congress is upbeat following its spectacular success in the recent elections to the Legislative Council from local bodies, it is afraid of a division of minority votes in Bidar seeing the response Mr Ayaz Khan has been receiving during  his road shows and public meetings.

Hoping to  wrest the seat previously held by the Karnataka Janata Party’s Gurupadappa Nagmarpalli, the Congress is banking on the dominant Muslim community voting  for Mr Firoz Khan and also  the Dalit and the backward class Gonda community backing him this poll.

Besides the JDS challenge, the party is also worried about former district surgeon, Dr Vaijaanath  Madana fielded by the  BSP as he too could eat into the common vote bank of minorities and Dalits. While the Muslims constitute 24 per cent of the 2,04,252 strong electorate in the constituency, the scheduled castes account for around 12 per cent.

The  BJP on the other hand is hoping the fight will turn triangular, splitting the minority and Dalits votes , as this could help its candidate,  Prakash Khandre, romp home. The party is banking heavily on the  Lingayat voters, who account for nearly 25 per cent of the electorate here and also expects  its traditional voters such as Brahmins, Vaishyas, and Marwaris to continue backing it these elections.

While some believe the  Congress’ attempt to portray Mr Khandre  who is from the adjoining Bhalki constituency, as an outsider, could  damage his prospects, BJP leaders assert the argument will cut no ice with the voters. On the contrary they contend the inclusion of Janawada and Malegao circles,  which were a part of the Bhalki Assembly segment, in the newly carved Bidar North constituency  has come as a big  shot in the arm for Mr Khandre.