D K Shivakumar-Savadi pair set to checkmate Ramesh Jarkiholi in Belagavi district

BENGALURU: Laxman Savadi, who was declared as the Congress candidate from Athani a day after he quit the BJP, has been tasked by the party state leadership of ensuring a win for the Congress in at least three segments in Belagavi district.

Savadi is widely considered as one of the most influential Lingayat leader in Belagavi next only to B S Yediyurappa. Congress sources say that the party leaders have tasked him with winning Athani, Kagwad and Kuduchi. Savadi faces a stiff challenger in Ramesh Jarkiholi who has declared that he will ensure Savadi’s defeat in Athani.

Laxman Savadi addressing the media persons after he joined the Congress.

In the changed political equation, Belagavi has now come under the spotlight as state Congress chief D K Shivakumar and Laxman Savadi are set to checkmate Ramesh Jarkiholi. Belagavi has long been known for the battle of prestige politics. The duo have now entered the political battlefield to defeat candidates from the ruling party while Jarkiholi will be looking to ensure the victory of his close aides against the Congress candidates.

While the Belagavi political theatre has piqued the interest of the people, it has put the BJP leaders in a fix as the district is set to witness another big war between two strong leaders.

Savadi, an influential leader from the Lingayat community, is preparing for the fight along with his supporters. The Shivakumar-Savadi duo is planning to tie Jarkiholi down while creating a labyrinth around his close aides. Most importantly for the Congress, the BJP should be get defeat in Belagavi and Athani constituencies. How this will play out will be known on May 13 when counting of votes is taken up.