The assembly elections in Karnataka slated for May could be of considerable significance. The BJP had previously wrested the state from the Congress in 2008. But it may not have it going its way as in the North-East. And the outcome in Karnataka may impact on the assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. This is not to mention the 2019 general election. The Congress has little to bank on except some by-poll successes. But the BJP’s grip is not very strong in South India except in Karnataka. It has no state government in the deep south which diminishes its Pan-India image. The BJP takes a nationalist stance while Congress leader Siddaramaiah plays the Kannada sub-nationalist card. The Hindi-Hindu profile of the BJP is not in sympathy with Karnataka society with its socio-political nuances. Nor does it recognize Kannada cultural identity. Devolution of funds by the Finance Commission has also been seen as biased against the Kannada population. Besides, Siddaramaiah has pushed for the Lingayat demand for recognition as a minority religious community. That cuts across the BJP campaign to bring all Hindu communities under its umbrella. The BJP may have miscalculated by fielding Yogi Adityanath representing extreme Hindutva as a campaigner in Karnataka. He has even raised the beef issue which may not go down well in a cosmopolitan city like Bengaluru. Siddaramaiah’s social coalition has taken in OBCs, Palits and Muslims. He focuses on welfare programmes.
The Congress will go all out for a victory despite incumbency odds. Its future depends on building state units and leaders. Siddaramaiah has been projected as the Congress face. But can he stand up to the BJP juggernaut?