Crucial bypolls in Karnataka on Thursday; Outcome will decide BJP govt's fate

crucial byelections to 15 assembly constituencies in Karnataka that will determine fate of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa led BJP government will be held on Thursday amid concerns of political parties of a possible low voter turn out. Polling will be held between 7 am to 6 pm on Thursday in 15 constituencies where a total of 37.78 lakh electors are eligible to cast ir votes and all arrangements have been me for exercise, officials said.

byelections are being held to fill vacancies caused by disqualification of 17 rebel Congress and JDS MLAs, whose rebellion led to collapse of H D Kumaraswamy-led coalition government in July and paved way for BJP to come to power.  BJP needs to win at least six of seats to remain in majority in 225-member assembly (including Speaker, who has a casting vote), which would still have two vacant seats -- Maski and R R Nagar. 

About political parties

In assembly with current strength of 208 after disqualifications, BJP has 105 MLAs (including an independent), Congress 66 and JD(S) has 34 MLAs. re is also one BSP member, a minated member, and Speaker. Thirteen of disqualified MLAs have been fielded by BJP after y joined party last month following Supreme Court allowing m to contest bypolls. During campaign, BJP sought votes for "stability", while Congress and JD(S) urged electorate to defeat disqualified legislators responsible for collapse of ir coalition government in July.

Among 15 constituencies going to bypolls, 12 were held by Congress and three by JD(S). BJP has fielded 13 of 16 disqualified legislators as its candidates from ir respective constituencies from where y h won in 2018 assembly elections on Congress and JDS tickets.  A total number of 165 candidates -- 156 men and 9 women -- are in fray.  Among major political parties, while BJP and Congress are contesting all 15 seats while JD(S) has fielded candidates in 12. going to bypolls are: Athani, Kagw, Gokak, Yellapur, Hirekerur, Ranibennur, Vijayanagar, Chikballapur, KR Puram, Yeshwanthpur, Mahalakshmi Layout, Shivajinagar, Hoskote, KR Pet and Hunsur.

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Congress-JDS to join hands?

Speculations are rife about Congress and JD(S) t being averse to joining hands once again to form a coalition government in case BJP fails to garner required number of seats to stay in majority. Political parties and officials were of view that re is a general feeling among public at large against bypolls and political developments that led to it and this might affect turut. In any by-election voter turn out will be low, it is t surprising but it cant be said it will affect or benefit any particular party, because, if turut is low, across constituencies it will be low, a senior BJP functionary said.

A senior Congress office-bearer too said voter turn out was expected to be low according to party's internal analysis. However, he said, despite low voter turn out, it would be vant Congress as most of those who will come to vote this time will be those who want to defeat disqualified. voice and sentiments are against disqualified, so it will benefit us," he claimed. He also said re were chances of core BJP supporters 'displeased' with tickets being given to outsiders ( disqualified MLAs) staying away from mobilizing voters and this would also help Congress.

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CM Yediyurappa urges voters to come out in large numbers

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has urged voters to come out and vote in large numbers as it was ir right. Only if re is 80-85 per cent voter turut it will give meaning to democratic system. As re is a holiday in 15 constituencies going for polls, I request electorate to come out and vote, he said.

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Election Commission and police have me elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of bypolls in all 15 constituencies. According to election officials, a total of 37,77,970 electors, including 18,42,027 women, are eligible to cast ir votes in 4,185 polling stations in bypolls. re are also 4,711 service voters. Out of a total 42,509 personnel deployed for election manment, 19,299 are polling personnel. As many as 11,241 personnel from state police and 2,511 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) would be on security duty. Polling officials said 884 polling stations have been marked critical and 414 stations will be manned by CAPF. bypolls were earlier slated for October 21, but EC h deferred m to December 5 after apex court decided to hear petitions of disqualified MLAs.

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