E-Paper
Lok Sabha elections 2019: Kharge poll bid, Modi appeal are key issues in Karnataka
Some glitches in Electronic Voting Machines were reported, especially in Chittapur in Gulbarga constituency where, according to state social welfare minister, Priyank Kharge, 20 EVMs were replaced. However, reports of delayed voting at many polling stations in the initial hours were reported.
The turnout in the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in northern Karnataka that voted on Tuesday was 67.64%.
Among key contestants in this phase, which wraps up the general elections in Karnataka that sends 28 MPs to the Lok Sabha, was Congress stalwart, Mallikarjun Kharge. He is targeting his 12th consecutive victory from Gulbarga, having never lost the seat since 1972. He was pitted against Congress rebel, Umesh Jadhav.
Also in the fray were Union minister, Ramesh Jigjinagi, from Bijapur (SC) constituency, and Ananth Kumar Hegde, who took on Anand Asnotikar of the Janata Dal (Secular) from Uttara Kannada. State Congress working president, Eshwar Khandre, took on Bharatiya Janata Party’s Bhagwant Khuba from Bidar. The ruling Congress-JD (S) coalition won in six of the eight assembly segments in Bidar.
Some glitches in Electronic Voting Machines were reported, especially in Chittapur in Gulbarga constituency where, according to state social welfare minister, Priyank Kharge, 20 EVMs were replaced. However, reports of delayed voting at many polling stations in the initial hours were reported.
The popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained a key factor this election.
In 2014, the BJP had won 10 of the 14 seats that voted on Tuesday, with eight MPs winning consecutive terms. These MPs focused their campaigns on Modi, hoping to overcome any possible anti-incumbency.
The Congress highlighted that the BJP picked only dominant caste candidates, except in the four reserved seats. Of the 10 BJP candidates in the region, eight were from the Lingayat sect and two Brahmins.
This was highlighted by former chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah, who tried to consolidate the AHINDA grouping.
