CHAMARAJANAGAR: The Congress may be looking to turn the tables on the BJP which has fielded Housing Minister V Somanna against Opposition leader Siddaramaiah in Varuna Assembly segment. Somanna will also be contesting from Chamarajanagar.
The BJP’s plan is to keep Siddaramaiah engaged in Varuna by fielding a strong candidate, which will give him little or no time to campaign in other parts of the state. However, the Congress seems to be working on a counter-strategy to keep Somanna occupied in Chamarajanagar with the rebellion that has broken out against him after his candidature was announced.
Supporters of Nagashree Pratap, who was denied the ticket by the BJP, have been holding a series of meetings while KRIDL president Rudresh has been openly making statements and allegations against Somanna.
Lingayat voters are dominant in both constituencies and they are alleging that Somanna is trampling upon the prospects of other Lingayat leaders in Chamarajanagar and also speaking against B D Yediyurappa. The thinking in the Congres camp is that the disenchantment may work as an undercurrent against Somanna who will be occupied with quelling dissent and will not be able to focus on Varuna segment.
Looking to keep Somanna engaged in Chamarajanagar and improve its chances in Varuna, the Congress may be working on ways to fan the disenchantment. There is dissidence in all the four Assembly segments in Chamanagar district and Somanna has been left to deal with it himself. Keeping him engaged in that constituency will be the Congress strategy, at least for now.