Congress’ Yogeshwar loses steam ahead of Channapatna bypoll results, Zameer remarks to blame?

BENGALURU: Just a day after voting concluded for the Channapatna bypoll, Congress candidate C P Yogeshwar hinting that he is ready to accept defeat and noted that the voters were more attached to the family of former PM H D Deve Gowda. He, however, insisted that it was a battle of equals.

This comes amid talk in political circles that Housing and Waqf Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan’s remarks against Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, calling him ‘kaalia Kumaraswamy’ (dark skinned) during the campaigning may have dented the Congress’ prospects.

Yogeshwar had launched his campaign with much gusto, but now seems to have lost steam much ahead of the results next weekend.

During the campaign, Zameer Ahmed had also said that Muslims had the power to ‘buy’ Deve Gowda. His brash remarks seem to have consolidated Vokkaliga votes in favour of NDA candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy. This was evident when Yogeshwar said, “It is a curious situation, let’s see what the voter’s verdict is. The government’s five guarantees have benefited people, but this is like a preparatory exam. Both sides have campaigned strongly”.

Meanwhile, Zameer Ahmed is reportedly consulting his colleagues if his remarks had done any damage to the party and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is said to have suggested to him to lie low till the results are announced. The CM also directed his ministers not to speak openly about the issue and complicate matters.

Party sources said Zameer Ahmed’s remarks had invited opposition within the Congress itself with the cadres and local leadaers expressing their disapproval of the minister’s remarks which were made with an eye on consolidating Muslim votes in the constituency.