Karnataka Elections - Congress Plays Hard Ball With The BJP

Finally, the Congress party seems to be taking elections seriously. And the elections in this large state in the south are readying to be a direct, and perhaps close, fight between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress. The opposition party is very visible, with a flood of leaders from outside the state being brought into the campaign drive, through press conferences and interactions with special groups of people. The party started an aggressive ‘Kive Mele Hoova’ campaign - where the Congress legislators tucked flowers behind their ears in the Aassenky to protest against BJP non-governance and followed it with stickers on BJP posters. Currently the state Youth Congress is leading a campaign for first time voters with a ‘celebrate your vote’ theme with workers being sent into the field to persuade young voters to cast their ballot.

Sensing a positive response, the Congress seems to have also fixed - or at least papered over— its internal differences with the top leaders reportedly working in harmony for the elections. Significantly, all Congress leaders are speaking in one voice to place the ruling party in the dock for going back on its promises, with the BJP under pressure. This is evident in the ongoing Amul versus Nandini controversy, with reaction being felt from the ground after Amul tweeted, “a new wave of freshness with milk and curd is coming to Bengaluru. More information coming soon.”This was seen as a threat to the local KMF that produces milk and curd in Karnataka under the Nandini brand name with Amul being asked to Go Back in the ensuing Twitter storm. The Congress party entered the controversy accusing the ruling BJP of a conspiracy to kill the state brand. The BJP, a bit defensive now, has been insisting that there is no threat to Nandini and asserting its support in the face of former Chief Minister and congress leader Siddaramaiah calling on “all Kannadigas” not to buy Amul products.

The Karnataka Assembly elections are crucial for both the national parties. This is the only southern state where the BJP is in power and a defeat here will actually justify the criticism in the south that it is a party of the Hindi heartland. Given the Tamil Nadu sentiments against the imposition of Hindi, and the fact that Kerala is still resisting BJP expansion, the ruling party will be looking at the 2024 parliamentary elections without a significant foothold in the south. Karnataka has 28 parliamentary seats, with Kerala 20, and Tamil Nadu 39. Between them these three important states carry 87 Lok Sabha seats, a formidable figure that will become even more so if BJP loses Karnataka to the Congress party. Communalism remains a weapon for use, with Muslims being attacked with more frequency than before in the state. Whether this will polarise the population again remains to be seen.

The Karnataka state elections are as crucial for the Congress party. These are the first to be held after Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and will make or break the perceived impact of his mass contact program. The party has been campaigning for equality, development, jobs, livelihood amongst the larger issues of communism and corruption. According to its own statements, it has been getting a good response from the ground. But a great deal will depend on the Congress ability to set up a strong organisation on the ground, for mopping up the votes as it were, and ensuring a free and fair count. However, the morale of the Congress party is high after the BJY, and the cadres are mobilised unlike past elections where a certain despondency had set in. All leaders seem to be on the roads, and the new publicity format of regular press conferences and meetings is visible. It is definitely an energised party, more united and belligerent, taking care to present a democratic, pro-people, pro-development image.

The Janata Dal (S) is downcast. It has taken a strong position against the BJP central leadership on the Amul-Nandini issue. Reports suggest it is looking for an alliance with the Congress as it has weakened considerably in its former Mysuru and Mandya strongholds. It remains open to the BJP as well, or so undenied reports suggest. Both the national parties are at this moment keeping a distance, and an alliance if any will be post polls.

The ball is in the people's court. What they pick up will determine the course for the 2024 general elections.