Analysis: How Congress May Have Fallen Into BJP’s Polarization Trap In Karnataka | India News

Karnataka Vidhansabha Chunav 2023: The poll-bound Karnataka which is dwelling to the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ is witnessing the same-old fashion of politics based mostly on castes and religions. While simply earlier than the announcement of the ballot schedule, the ruling BJP quashed the 4% OBC reservation given to Muslims transferring the quota inside the 10 per cent Economically Weaker Section (EWS) class, the Congress was fast to fall into the saffron social gathering’s narrative and promised to not solely restore the mentioned quota but in addition pledged to scrap varied reservation quotas introduced by the ruling BJP if voted to energy. 

‘4% Muslim Reservation Row’

The BJP’s transfer was challenged within the Supreme Court and a keep order was issued, however when requested throughout an interview, Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed the 4% OBC reservation for Muslims as unconstitutional. “The BJP never believes in appeasement. So, it decided to change the reservation,” Shah mentioned strongly defending the choice. 

On the opposite hand, Congress state president DK Shivakumar mentioned that many reservations supplied by the BJP are in opposition to the regulation, structure and the pursuits of the communities. The reservation within the state has gone as much as 56 per cent and let the BJP authorities give reservations for each the communities by extending the restrict. The Congress firmly stands with minorities and we wish Muslim reservations to be intact, he maintained.

The reservation transfer by Chief Minister BS Bommai has led to a confrontation between the BJP and Congress. While the BJP is hoping to polarize Hindu votes by scrapping the 4 per cent reservations for Muslims, the Congress seems to have fallen into the polarization lure. This could also be one of many causes that Amit Shah defended the transfer in his public rallies. 

Vokaligga and Lingayata Vote Bank And Seat Equation

In Karnataka, the Lingayatas and Vokkaligas are key to any social gathering’s ballot victory. According to many estimates, the Lingayata group constitutes 17 per cent of Karnataka’s inhabitants whereas Vokkaligas are estimated to be round 15 per cent, Muslims 13 per cent, Brahmins three per cent, Other Backward Classes (OBCs) 35 per cent and the Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs) round 18 per cent. On most events,  Lingayatas and Vokkaligas have voted unitedly and that was mirrored within the outcomes as nicely. Of the 224 meeting constituencies of Karnataka, round Lingayatas have an effect on the outcomes of round 100 constituencies whereas Vokaliggas have a major presence in round 80 constituencies and they’re dominant in 44 of those constituencies. 

Prominent Faces In BJP and Congress

While the BJP has the assist of one of many tallest Lingayata leaders – BS Yediyurappa, two distinguished leaders – Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi have defected to Congress after the denial of tickets. On the opposite hand, BJP has fielded sturdy Vokaligga leaders in opposition to Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. While Siddaramaiah will face V Somanna in Varuna, DK Shivakumar will probably be up in opposition to R Ashok in Kanakapura.