Belagavi: It’s a hard ride for both the BJP and Congress in Belagavi these elections with their choice of candidates setting off rebellion in around five constituencies each.
After sitting MLA Vishwanath Patil, who was until recently with the KJP, got the BJP ticket in Bailhongal, the party's senior leader Jagadish Metgud has jumped into the fray as a rebel and could give the Congress the advantage in the Lingayat dominated constituency.
And although the BJP put off announcing the candidature of Mr Abhay Patil for a few days in Belagavi South , it has not been able to halt the rebellion that broke out once it did. The saffron party is also having a tough time in trying to persuade Dr Ravi Patil and Mr Veeresh Kivudasannavar from turning rebels in Belagavi North as both are more popular than Mr Anil Benake, the official candidate. With supporters of two-time BJP MLA, Suresh Marihal , staging massive protests in Kittur recently to protest the fielding of Mr Mahantesh Doddagoudar ,it is believed he too could turn rebel.
The situation is no better in the Congress with rebels threatening to topple its candidates in five constituencies. After a tug-of-war for the Kittur ticket between sitting MLA, D B Inamdar and his nephew, Balasaheb Patil the party picked the former, upsetting the latter, who it is feared, could turn rogue these polls and work against the party.
The Congress party's efforts to field a consensus candidate in Saudatti have failed too as a popular youth leader, who was denied a ticket, has entered the fray as a rebel already. Also, at least eight rebels are working in Belagavi Rural constituency to defeat the party candidate, Laxmi Hebbalkar.
The Congress is also facing rebellion in Belagavi South, Kudchi, and Kagwad constituencies.
