Bagalkot
The list of contestants for Lok Sabha constituency for the upcoming elections is already getting bigger. Once upon a time, this constituency was a stronghold of the Congress. However, in all the four elections since 2004, the BJP has continued to gain control.
Former Zilla Panchayat Chairperson Veena Kashapanavara, who had given tough competition to BJP candidate PC Gaddi Gowda in the last Lok Sabha elections, is also seeking the ticket this time. She has openly stated her aspiration. Meanwhile, Mahila Congress District President Rakshita Eeti, former Minister and current DCC Bank Chairman Ajayakumar Saranayaka, Basaveshwar Bank Chairman Prakash Tapashetti and former Zilla Panchayat President Kumar Malaghana have contested for the ticket.
Congress party is in power in the state. Out of the 7 assembly constituencies in the district, five constituencies have party MLAs. It seems that the government’s popularity is increasing due to the guarantee schemes. Thus, the Congress ticket aspirants feel that victory will be easy this time.
PC Gaddigowda, who has represented the constituency from BJP for four consecutive terms since 2004 and is the current MP, is being heard in the constituency that the party will give another chance to him. It is said that Gaddigowda, who has maintained good relations with the state and central leaders, has no strong ticket aspirants in the district. Meanwhile, former Minister Muragesh Nirani’s name is being heard, but he himself has denied the rumors about the contest.In the meantime, Chitradurga-based retired IAS officer Prakash Parappa, who has served in various wards of the BJP, has been traveling at the village level as a BJP Lok Sabha aspirant in the district for the past four months.
