Even though all eyes are set on Hubli-Dharwad Central constituency from where Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar is contesting, all indicators point out that Shettar will have a smooth sail.
According to political pundits, the BJP may not come to power but Shettar, a powerful lingayat leader, will consolidate this time too.
A walk through the streets on this busy town suggests Shettar will certainly make it to the final test which is crucial for the BJP and also to Shettar who is going to consolidate his identity in the party. His wife Shilpa is in-charge of his campaign at the home turf as her Chief Minister husband is busy campaigning across the State. Sharing her experience Shilpa Shettar told The Pioneer that the development work done in this constituency by her husband has given her confidence that it would be a smooth sail for him. She said, “The Development and nourishing of the constituency is crucial and I give full credit to my husband who never ignored the constituency.”
This constituency in Central Karnataka has seen two Chief Minister — late SR Bommai and Jagadish Shettar. In fact, a look at Shettar’s opponents indicates as sure as it looks that Shettar is going to win. The Congress has fielded a practising doctor Dr Mahesh C Nalwad, who is in whirl of dissidence, is banking on the Congress central leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to do some miracle. The KJP has also fielded a lingayat leader Shekhar Gouda Patil who might give some sleepless nights to Shettar.
Strategically, the JD(S) has fielded Tabrez Shamsi to split Muslim votes. In fact, Shettar knows this constituency well and all his opponents are first timers in this place that is an advantage to Shettar.
A strong 75,000 lingayat votes and over 34,000 Muslim votes in this constituency are crucial for Shettar’s victory. Herewith a strong 20,000 SC and ST voters along with 20,000 Brahmin and 25 Christian voters, Shettar is expected to benefit from the split of votes. This constituency, which has seen fiery lingayat politics in the past, has 2,12,971 total voters with 1,07,971 male voters and 1,05.000 female voters.