Bengaluru: Seven-time Congress MP from Kolar and former Union Minister K.H. Muniyappa reportedly paid the price for ignoring Muslim voters in two elections in a row and also seems to have taken his victory for granted in the absence of a JD(S) candidate in the fray as per the coalition dharma.
Interestingly the first thing BJP candidate, S. Muniswamy who defeated Muniyappa in Kolar did at the start of his campaign was to approach all disgruntled leaders in the Congress. He did his bit to win over JD(S) workers and swept to victory aided by pro-Modi wave. Speaking to DC, a Congress leader in Kolar asserted that Muniyappa paid the price for being 'haughty' and for ignoring Muslims for long. “Muniyappa had been ignoring the Muslims as they had voted for JD(S) in past elections. With no JD(S) candidate in the fray this time, the Muslims chose not to vote for him this time and remained indifferent especially in areas like Chintamani, Shidlaghatta, Mulbagal and Kolar, where they are present in large numbers. Till 2 pm on voting day, there was no voter movement in Muslim-dominated areas forcing Muniyappa to send his emissaries but in vain,” said sources.
The source added that Mr Muniswamy's strategy was to meet leaders and win them over through various means.
