Karnataka which is going to polls on April 17 is the cynosure of all eyes. The State, which is credited with bringing the first BJP Government in the South, has become a very crucial political phase for the two national parties, Congress and the BJP.
As the battle line has been drawn for the April 27 polls, five former Chief Ministers in Karnataka are in the fray fighting their decisive political battle. Former CMs M Veerappa Moily from Chikkaballapura as a Congress candidate, HD Devegowda from Hassan as a JDS candidate, N Dharam Singh from Bidar as a Congress candidate, BS Yeddyurappa of the BJP from Shivamoga and DV Sadananda Gowda of the BJP is fighting from Bangalore North.
There is also the name of another former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy who is expected to contest from Chikkaballapura against union petroleum Minister Moily. Karnataka has the history of former CMs entering the fray to play their roles.
Karnataka as there are predictions about losing in other states. The Congress wants to repeat its Assembly performance in the general elections too which had decimated BJP. For the saffron party which had sent 19 MPs in 2009, hit with scams and scandals wants to build its lost image to take on the Congress. By regrouping of its leaders BJP brought back former chief minister Yeddyurappa and close aide of Bellary Reddy brothers B Sriramulu to its fold to repeat its performance of 2009. Karnataka with 28 parliamentary seats is crucial in South India for both the BJP and the Congress to gain supremacy in the political battle fighting AAP and JDS in few pockets.
It is always been an opportunity in Karnataka for the rehabilitation of former chief ministers to center because of various political compulsions. As one could recollect, Karnataka’s first chief minister K Chengalraya Reddy was elected from Kolar in 1957. later architect of seat of Power Vidhanasoudha Kengal Hanumanthaiah who was the then chief minister was sent to parliament and became union railway minister. He won from Bangalore in 1962,1967 and 1971. Veerendra Patil who took on Indira Gandhi from Chikkamagalur , after emergency in 1978 migrated to Congress and entered lok Saba and became Minister. Many former chief ministers like Ramkrishna Hegde, S Bangarappa, R Gundurao fought the lok Saba and entered national politics.
Un perturbed by the heat and dust fiver former chief ministers are in the fray in Karnataka. This election for all of them is crucial, decisive and deciding. Former Prime Minister HD Devegowda has declared that it was his last elections. He is also peddling with third front as an alternative to both the Congress and the BJP.
For union minister Moily who is seeking re election from Chikkaballapura( not his original constituency) it is a crucial battle. He is fighting AAP and also JDS apart from BJPs former minister Bacche Gowda.
Another former chief minister and strong lingayat leader BS Yeddyurappa is also fighting a crucial battle as he is battling many cases on illegal mining. BJP has brought him back to the party towards consolidation to take on the Congress.
Former Chief Minister N Dharam Singh who has health issues is fighting his last election. BJPs Sadananda Gowda who is contesting from Bangalore North is the youngest and facing his battle in a new constituency. This election is going to be decisive and historical for five former chief ministers of Karnataka. Eom/blr