New Delhi, May 6 : The upcoming Karnataka elections are being seen as a crucial indicator for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with the national parties, BJP and Congress, vying to send a strong message to the nation through the results. Karnataka holds a significant position as the gateway to South India for both parties.
After recent victories in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Congress is eager to win Karnataka and utilize it as a launchpad for the Lok Sabha elections. The party aims to energize its cadres and party workers, leveraging the formidable state leadership alongside the efforts of Rahul Gandhi to convey a nationwide message.
For the BJP, the focus lies in showcasing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity and countering the anti-incumbency sentiment. The Karnataka elections have become centered around PM Modi, with prominent figures like Union Minister for Home Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP National President J.P. Nadda, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and PM Modi himself seeking votes on his behalf. A victory would be celebrated as a personal triumph for PM Modi, while a defeat would also be attributed to him.
The third front, represented by JD(S) headed by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, aims to make a comeback at the national level through a successful performance in Karnataka. JD(S) expresses confidence in emerging victorious, emphasizing the favorable atmosphere in the state that positions them as potential kingmakers. The party leadership believes that recent episodes of rebellion within Congress and BJP, coupled with emotional factors associated with 89-year-old Deve Gowda, enhance their prospects beyond being mere kingmakers.
Deve Gowda, despite being on a wheelchair, is actively touring the state, delivering speeches, and appealing to the people to support his son’s candidacy for Chief Minister. As the unquestionable leader of the influential Vokkaliga community, which holds sway over more than 80 seats, including Bengaluru, Deve Gowda’s support can significantly impact the fate of political parties in southern Karnataka.
Both Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge stress that the Karnataka elections hold national significance beyond choosing a state government. Meanwhile, PM Modi asserts that the election results will shape Karnataka’s destiny and play a crucial role in his vision of elevating India’s economy to the third position globally.
Further indicating the stakes involved, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has visited Bengaluru multiple times to meet Deve Gowda and his family. Additionally, former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy has held discussions with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata, discussing the potential formation of a third front.
According to senior political analyst C. Rudrappa, BJP has placed a significant bet on the Karnataka elections, akin to the ancient Ashwamedha Yaga ritual that symbolizes imperial sovereignty. A victory in Karnataka would further strengthen BJP’s position, while a failure could signify a dent in their popularity and an end to complacency.
Rudrappa suggests that BJP’s ideology might not resonate with regions and states that cherish their distinct cultures and are less inclined towards the proposed nationalism propagated by the party. States like Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh are unlikely to conform to BJP’s format. The outcome in Karnataka, for either Congress or BJP, could provide valuable insights at the national level, setting the tone for future political dynamics.
