Stage set for first phase of K’taka polls today

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Stakes are high for the Congress and the JD(S) in the first phase of polling in Karnataka on Saturday in which 89 Assembly constituencies will go to polls.

The Congress will make a strong bid to regain its lost base in old Mysore districts where it had to concede several party held seats to the JD(S) in the 2004 Assembly elections. Making surprise inroads, the JD(S) had won 34 constituencies in this belt. Both the JD(S) as well as the BJP is trying hard to gain a foothold in the Vokkaliga belts of Mandya, Tumkur and Hassan, where the BSP has also jumped in to play spoilsport by putting up candidates in 86 seats.

The focus, however, will be on Bangalore city, accounting for 28 seats, on which the three key players have focussed their energies on. With issues relating to infrastructural needs becoming a priority for Bangaloreans, all three parties have promised special attention to the IT city in their party manifestos.

Political observers expect straight contests in most constituencies despite a number of candidates giving the impression of multi-cornered contests. They contend that it will be virtually a straight fight between Congress-JDS in parts of Mandya and Hassan, while BJP will be challenging the Congress in other areas.