Karnataka polls: BJP, Congress battle it out for Shimoga

BATTLE WITHIN THE BATTLE: One time CM Bangarappa of SP takes on the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, Yeddyurappa.

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Keywords: Assembly elections 2008, Karnataka

Shikaripura: It's the battle within the battle. On May 25, as Karnataka counts, the results of Shikaripura will be closely watched as former Congress strongman and one time chief minister S Bangarappa of SP takes on the BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa.

For Bangrappa, this is an opprtunity to revive a flagging political career. With the Congress and the JD(S) deciding to support him, Bangrappa is hoping to become a rallying point for the anti-BJP forces in the state.

"Everybody thinks that he is a powerful leader. If I defeat him, I will become a more powerful leader," says Bangarappa.

The 75-year-old flombayont Bangarappa has won 11 elections in the region since 1967 and faced with a formidable rival, Yeddyurappa isn't taking any chances.

He isn't ready to forget the bitter experience of 1999, when Bangarappa ' s handpicked candidate defeated him.

Yeddyurappa is touring every small village in his constituency under a scorching sun. A five-time MLA, Yeddyurappa remains confident that his stature as the BJP's chief ministerial hopeful will be his trump card.

"I will get 75-80 per cent votes. I will win," says he confidently.

For Shikaripura, a small town on the foothills of Western Ghats, being a VIP constituency offers the hope that whoever wins, the area might benefit from the extra attention.

Shikaripura resident, Naveed Javed says, "Both of them have done something. They are our big leaders."

While victory for Bangarappa would make him the giant killer of Karnataka, for Yeddyurappa, it's the springboard for another shot at chief ministership. The problem, as they both realise, only one of them can win.

It is an election that shows Indian politics at its best, when political parties put up and withdraw candidates to suit their own vested interests and where usual pride, ego, prestige and vindictive politics are more important than the welfare of voters.