India's IT capital, Bangalore (North) parliamentary constituency which is part of four constituencies -&nbsp;Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South - would be going to the polls in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/second-phase-polls-bjp-tmc-eye-darjeeling-in-west-bengal-battle-209751">the second phase of elections</a> on April 18th.

The constituency was late Congress leader C.K.Jaffer Sharieff's bastion. The former Congress railway minister won consequentively from here in 1977 to 1991. He again won the seat in 1998 and 1999.

The BJP finally beat Sharieff in 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha polls when HT Sangliana and DB Chandra Gowda got the better of the Congress leader.&nbsp;

In a historic twist in&nbsp;1984 Lok Sabha polls, late defence minister George Fernandes had stood from here against Sharieff who beat him. In 2014, the constituency had recorded a relatively low 56 per voter turnout, however, it was higher than in 2009 when 47 per cent people opted to vote.

This time voter turnout would play a huge role for the BJP as the anti-incumbency factor could work against it with the JD(S)-Congress coalition eager to exploit any&nbsp;BJP weakness.

Interestingly, Bangalore has a history of recording low voter turnout with the urban voters mostly staying away from polls, the BJP and JD(S)-Congress would be hoping it is different this time.&nbsp;

Former Karnataka chief minister and Union minister Sadananda Gowda, 66, who is the sitting MP will be fighting again from here. Sadananda Gowda will take on Congress's Krishna Byre Gowda, 46, who is the state's rural development, law and parliamentary affairs minister in CM Kumaraswamy's cabinet.

Sadananda Gowda got over 7 lakh votes in 2014 beating his Congress rival C. Narayaswamy who garnered over 4.8 lakh votes. Sadananda finally won with a thumping 229,764 votes over his rival.&nbsp;

The BJP had swept <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-a-high-octane-faceoff-between-two-powerful-daughters-thoothukudi-209778">all four Lok Sabha constituencies</a>&nbsp;in Bangalore in 2014.

Congress is also banking on the "Gowda factor" with Krishna Byre Gowda set to take on his BJP rival. He is the face of the JD(S)-Congress coalition. JD(S) is hoping&nbsp;Krishna Byre Gowda pulls&nbsp;the vital upper caste Vokkaliga votes, which has been BJP's prime vote bank in the last two elections.

The effect of the Gowda factor is such that several JD(S) party workers wanted party supremo H D Deve Gowda to contest from here, however, in the end, the ruling party in the state decided to go with its seat-sharing agreement with the Congress.

Congress candidate Krishna hails from a political family, his father, C. Byre Gowda, was a JD(U) leader. He had earlier lost the elections in 2009. The American University graduate is also an agriculturalist.

A crucial factor which could work in BJP's favour is the BSP which is also fighting from here with Syed Hydri Babloo representing the party. Mayawati's party to keen to pick up lower caste votes, which could work against the JD(S)-Congress coalition. It could well be the joker in the pack.

The results to be declared on May 23rd is too close to call with the second phase election in the crucial Bangalore constituency&nbsp;set to be a cliffhanger.

India's IT capital, Bangalore (North) parliamentary constituency which is part of four constituencies - Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South - would be going to the polls in the second phase of elections on April 18th.

India's IT capital, Bangalore (North) parliamentary constituency which is part of four constituencies - Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South - would be going to the polls in the second phase of elections on April 18th. The constituency was late Congress leader C.K.Jaffer Sharieff's bastion. The former Congress railway minister won consequentively from here in 1977 to 1991. He again won the seat in 1998 and 1999. The BJP finally beat Sharieff in 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha polls when HT Sangliana and DB Chandra Gowda got the better of the Congress leader. In a historic twist in 1984 Lok Sabha polls, late defence minister George Fernandes had stood from here against Sharieff who beat him. In 2014, the constituency had recorded a relatively low 56 per voter turnout, however, it was higher than in 2009 when 47 per cent people opted to vote. This time voter turnout would play a huge role for the BJP as the anti-incumbency factor could work against it with the JD(S)-Congress coalition eager to exploit any BJP weakness. Interestingly, Bangalore has a history of recording low voter turnout with the urban voters mostly staying away from polls, the BJP and JD(S)-Congress would be hoping it is different this time. Former Karnataka chief minister and Union minister Sadananda Gowda, 66, who is the sitting MP will be fighting again from here. Sadananda Gowda will take on Congress's Krishna Byre Gowda, 46, who is the state's rural development, law and parliamentary affairs minister in CM Kumaraswamy's cabinet. Sadananda Gowda got over 7 lakh votes in 2014 beating his Congress rival C. Narayaswamy who garnered over 4.8 lakh votes. Sadananda finally won with a thumping 229,764 votes over his rival. The BJP had swept all four Lok Sabha constituencies in Bangalore in 2014. Congress is also banking on the "Gowda factor" with Krishna Byre Gowda set to take on his BJP rival. He is the face of the JD(S)-Congress coalition. JD(S) is hoping Krishna Byre Gowda pulls the vital upper caste Vokkaliga votes, which has been BJP's prime vote bank in the last two elections. The effect of the Gowda factor is such that several JD(S) party workers wanted party supremo H D Deve Gowda to contest from here, however, in the end, the ruling party in the state decided to go with its seat-sharing agreement with the Congress. Congress candidate Krishna hails from a political family, his father, C. Byre Gowda, was a JD(U) leader. He had earlier lost the elections in 2009. The American University graduate is also an agriculturalist. A crucial factor which could work in BJP's favour is the BSP which is also fighting from here with Syed Hydri Babloo representing the party. Mayawati's party to keen to pick up lower caste votes, which could work against the JD(S)-Congress coalition. It could well be the joker in the pack. The results to be declared on May 23rd is too close to call with the second phase election in the crucial Bangalore constituency set to be a cliffhanger.

Second phase polls: It is Gowda vs Gowda in Bangalore North

Karnataka Minister's of State for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda spoke exclusively to WION. He said the southern states were discriminated against by the 15th Finance Commission. He added that states like Karnataka are being penalised for controlling their populations.

He also said his state did not receive, despite consecutive droughts, as much financial assistance as BJP-ruled states like Maharashtra.

And he added that for the first time, the ruling party is in a position to break the jinx of no government being given a repeat term in Karnataka. Read his full interview here:&nbsp

&nbsp 
Q: What makes you so confident that you will come back to power?

A: We are the first government in the last several decades which is not facing anti-incumbency. We gave a stable government for 5 years which was missing in Karnataka for a decade and a half. BJP’s tenure saw three CMs whereas we gave a scandal-free government. In the previous regime&nbspmany ministers including the CM had to go to jail. &nbspOn the other hand we gave a solid government.

Q: Are you saying you will buck the trend? No government in the past 30 years has been able to achieve this feat? 
A: We have seen the surveys and CM has travelled through the state. We are getting positive vibes. This is the first time in the last 30 years that a government in Karnataka is not facing incumbency.

Q: Your government’s relationship with the Centre has been pretty acrimonious? The 15th Finance Commission was the point of friction...

A: Our CM took up issues related to the rights of Karnataka. Whether it was the Cauvery water issue, or the state flag issue, or even the allocation of funds. The terms of reference limit the freedom of the Finance Commission to carry out a judicious allocation of resources. For example we are being penalised for controlling population. For this reason, allocation of funds to us is going to shrink.

&nbspQ: Are you saying that the Centre is unfair?

A: Centre will be unfair if they refuse to sit down and talk to the affected states. We are willing to negotiate, that includes the progressive southern states. We are giving them the choice to sort out the issue but if they refuse, then I have no choice but to say that they are being deliberately unfair.

Q: Many would say that this election has boiled down to nationalism vs sub-nationalism?

A: I reject this and object to pundits sitting in Delhi who pass judgement on states which are culturally and linguistically different. People sitting in Delhi have no right to question the attachment we have for the Indian union. Kannadigas are more nationalistic than many others. If we want to be Kannadigas along with being Indians and if it cannot be digested, then it’s a problem with them who think otherwise. The Indian union makes space for all types of identities. The union gives this space. Kannadigas are nationalistic and if some people cannot understand our love for our culture and identity, then it is their problem.

Q: But critics say that issues like language and a separate state flag cropped up right before the election?

A: I will answer this at several levels. The issue of flag is not new to us. It was the previous government which issued a circular that gram panchayats hoist the state flag with the national flag. The courts struck it down on the ground that the flag has no legal sanctity, hence this issue became relevant to us and we are trying to legally solve the issue.

In fact, people in southern states picked up Hindi. Even in Tamil Nadu and Kerala people speak Hindi but when you try to impose it, then there will be a pushback, which happened in the last couple of years.

Q: Are you saying that the pushback is taking place because of a new cultural nationalism?

A: A single identity and uniformity are being thrust upon the country. Perhaps it comes from one region but the fact is that we are diverse. &nbspI’m a Hindu but my celebration of Hindu culture is very different from people in other parts of the country. I come from the Shudra tradition of Hindu society and my forms of worship are different. Not today but in the past, sacrifices were part of Shudra culture in southern India. There is an attempt to impose one identity and one definition of being Indian and for this reason, there is a pushback happening. Allow people to be what they are as long it is legal. Some of&nbspthe efforts are against the spirit of the constitution and this is what is leading to a pushback.

Q: The BJP swept the elections in 2014. Will the Modi effect persist in this election?

A: The Modi effect is on the wane. There is a palpable disenchantment with the leadership of the Prime Minister as he has not been able to keep the promises he made. Youth are beginning to realise that PM has not been able to deliver on employment and price rise. Growth and investment are in question. Smart cities have not come and there is no talk of 15 lakhs. People are seeing the truth behind the jumlas.

Q: You are in charge of agriculture. Congress says that allocation in this sector by the Centre is not enough. Why? 
A: I will give you numbers. We were hit with drought for two consecutive years and we were given 3,000 crores opposed to Maharashtra which got 8,000 crores. Is it fair? It was the worst-ever drought. We were struggling to cope with the drought and the Centre was playing politics. Electorate is observing this keenly.

Q: Why was the decision on Lingayats taken before the elections? 
A: It was an issue which was being raised for past several years. We did not create it. It is an old issue which the community had been raising for many years. Lingayat community invited the CM two years ago and asked for separate religious status. CM only responded to the call. The issue came up two years ago. We could not take a view overnight. It was taken to a logical end after due consultations and the report submitted to the government. We did not raise this issue nor took any decision immediately

Q: Can Deve Gowda’s party be a spoiler? 
A: Karnataka has experimented with coalitions with disastrous results and I don’t think the electorate will go for it again.

Q: Is there a Vokaligga consolidation happening? 
A: Vokaliggas are there but there are other communities as well. No one community can decide the fate of the elections and Kannadigas know that a coalition government can take the state several years behind. I’m confident that we will get a simple majority.&nbsp

Karnataka Minister's of State for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda said the Modi effect was on the wane and that a pushback was happening because a single Indian identity was being thrust on people

Karnataka Minister's of State for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda spoke exclusively to WION. He said the southern states were discriminated against by the 15th Finance Commission. He added that states like Karnataka are being penalised for controlling their populations. He also said his state did not receive, despite consecutive droughts, as much financial assistance as BJP-ruled states like Maharashtra. And he added that for the first time, the ruling party is in a position to break the jinx of no government being given a repeat term in Karnataka. Read his full interview here: Q: What makes you so confident that you will come back to power? A: We are the first government in the last several decades which is not facing anti-incumbency. We gave a stable government for 5 years which was missing in Karnataka for a decade and a half. BJP’s tenure saw three CMs whereas we gave a scandal-free government. In the previous regime&nbspmany ministers including the CM had to go to jail. &nbspOn the other hand we gave a solid government. Q: Are you saying you will buck the trend? No government in the past 30 years has been able to achieve this feat? A: We have seen the surveys and CM has travelled through the state. We are getting positive vibes. This is the first time in the last 30 years that a government in Karnataka is not facing incumbency. Q: Your government’s relationship with the Centre has been pretty acrimonious? The 15th Finance Commission was the point of friction... A: Our CM took up issues related to the rights of Karnataka. Whether it was the Cauvery water issue, or the state flag issue, or even the allocation of funds. The terms of reference limit the freedom of the Finance Commission to carry out a judicious allocation of resources. For example we are being penalised for controlling population. For this reason, allocation of funds to us is going to shrink. &nbspQ: Are you saying that the Centre is unfair? A: Centre will be unfair if they refuse to sit down and talk to the affected states. We are willing to negotiate, that includes the progressive southern states. We are giving them the choice to sort out the issue but if they refuse, then I have no choice but to say that they are being deliberately unfair. Q: Many would say that this election has boiled down to nationalism vs sub-nationalism? A: I reject this and object to pundits sitting in Delhi who pass judgement on states which are culturally and linguistically different. People sitting in Delhi have no right to question the attachment we have for the Indian union. Kannadigas are more nationalistic than many others. If we want to be Kannadigas along with being Indians and if it cannot be digested, then it’s a problem with them who think otherwise. The Indian union makes space for all types of identities. The union gives this space. Kannadigas are nationalistic and if some people cannot understand our love for our culture and identity, then it is their problem. Q: But critics say that issues like language and a separate state flag cropped up right before the election? A: I will answer this at several levels. The issue of flag is not new to us. It was the previous government which issued a circular that gram panchayats hoist the state flag with the national flag. The courts struck it down on the ground that the flag has no legal sanctity, hence this issue became relevant to us and we are trying to legally solve the issue. In fact, people in southern states picked up Hindi. Even in Tamil Nadu and Kerala people speak Hindi but when you try to impose it, then there will be a pushback, which happened in the last couple of years. Q: Are you saying that the pushback is taking place because of a new cultural nationalism? A: A single identity and uniformity are being thrust upon the country. Perhaps it comes from one region but the fact is that we are diverse. &nbspI’m a Hindu but my celebration of Hindu culture is very different from people in other parts of the country. I come from the Shudra tradition of Hindu society and my forms of worship are different. Not today but in the past, sacrifices were part of Shudra culture in southern India. There is an attempt to impose one identity and one definition of being Indian and for this reason, there is a pushback happening. Allow people to be what they are as long it is legal. Some of&nbspthe efforts are against the spirit of the constitution and this is what is leading to a pushback. Q: The BJP swept the elections in 2014. Will the Modi effect persist in this election? A: The Modi effect is on the wane. There is a palpable disenchantment with the leadership of the Prime Minister as he has not been able to keep the promises he made. Youth are beginning to realise that PM has not been able to deliver on employment and price rise. Growth and investment are in question. Smart cities have not come and there is no talk of 15 lakhs. People are seeing the truth behind the jumlas. Q: You are in charge of agriculture. Congress says that allocation in this sector by the Centre is not enough. Why? A: I will give you numbers. We were hit with drought for two consecutive years and we were given 3,000 crores opposed to Maharashtra which got 8,000 crores. Is it fair? It was the worst-ever drought. We were struggling to cope with the drought and the Centre was playing politics. Electorate is observing this keenly. Q: Why was the decision on Lingayats taken before the elections? A: It was an issue which was being raised for past several years. We did not create it. It is an old issue which the community had been raising for many years. Lingayat community invited the CM two years ago and asked for separate religious status. CM only responded to the call. The issue came up two years ago. We could not take a view overnight. It was taken to a logical end after due consultations and the report submitted to the government. We did not raise this issue nor took any decision immediately Q: Can Deve Gowda’s party be a spoiler? A: Karnataka has experimented with coalitions with disastrous results and I don’t think the electorate will go for it again. Q: Is there a Vokaligga consolidation happening? A: Vokaliggas are there but there are other communities as well. No one community can decide the fate of the elections and Kannadigas know that a coalition government can take the state several years behind. I’m confident that we will get a simple majority.

Karnataka MoS to WION: Ruling party not facing anti-incumbency for first time in 30 years

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Second phase polls: It is Gowda vs Gowda in Bangalore North

Karnataka MoS to WION: Ruling party not facing anti-incumbency for first time in 30 years