This refers to the report, “BJP, Cong go all guns blazing in K'taka” (May 5). With the Karnataka Assembly election nearing, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi seem excitedly engaged in a final showdown in the State, accelerating poll campaigns and leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters at the hustings amid a din of allegations and counter-allegations vis-a-vis corruption and communal division. Surprisingly, the BJP has promised loan-waivers to farmers up to one lakh rupees in its manifesto despite showing reluctance for the same till the Uttar Pradesh poll. But the Supreme Court's refusal to allow mining baron G Janardhana Reddy to campaign in his brother's constituency Bellary has come as a niggling disappointment for the party.
On the other hand, it is ambiguous if the Congress' decision to recommend a separate religion status to the lingayat community will swing the vote in its favour. Interestingly, as the BJP is keen on cashing-in on anti-incumbency factor the grand old party is faced with, the latter seems avid for the neutralisation of the same. As corruption is losing its efficacy as a tenable issue with the public, both parties are randomly attacking each other on some common sporadic problems to win over the electorate. Amid claims and counter-claims of forming a Government in Karnataka coming from both sides, it's the people of the State who have to decide on who will take over as their Government on May 12, the date of polling.