As the first phase of polling in Tamil Nadu has completed, the focus has now shifted to the neighbouring states of Kerala and Karnataka. Voting is going to be held in both these two states on April 26. Voting for all the Lok Sabha seats in Kerala will be held on the same day. While only half of Karnataka’s 14 seats will go to polls in the second phase, the remaining 14 seats will be covered in the third phase polls.
The elections in these two states are crucial for the Bharatiya Janata Party for two reasons. One is to step towards its long-cherished dream of putting an end to the left-rule in Kerala and the other is to regain Karnataka where it had won 25 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.
Winning Karnataka is important for BJP
To accomplish its claim of winning 370 seats on its own and more than 400 seats with its alliance partners, the BJP needs to win, especially in Karnataka. BJP is claiming to win 370 seats on its own and more than 400 seats with its alliance partners. For this, it is important that it performs well in Karnataka. The BJP’s election campaign, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a direct appeal to voters with the promise that he will rid the two states of corrupt politicians and build a new state which he refers to as ‘New India’.
Opposition stands firm on their agenda
The opposition, on the other hand, is relying on its fundamentals of saving the democracy and protection of the constitution and its federal structure. The position claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party government has been a threat to the constitution and democratic structure of the nation. Big Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Kharge have given numerous speeches where they mention how BJP’s coming back to power will tarnish the threads of democracy, constitution and federal structure of India.
Can Congress repeat its performance in Kerala?
The story of Kerala in 2024 is slightly different than in 2019 because the Congress-led UDF and CPM-led left front are contesting against each other on most seats.
This change is mainly due to the Left Front’s decision to field key leaders against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad. Kerala’s leftists accuse Rahul Gandhi of being afraid of the BJP and therefore trying to hide in relatively safe Kerala’s Wayanad seat. The propaganda campaign of left leaders became more intense when Pinarayi Vijayan started calling Rahul Gandhi ‘Amul Baby’.
Taking a jibe on the whole issue, PM Modi said that Congress’ heir Rahul Gandhi will soon run away from a Wayanad like he did from Amethi.
BJP wants to repeat performance in Karnataka
As far as Karnataka is concerned, BJP would like to repeat its 2019 performance. However, BJP had to face a big defeat in the assembly Elections in the state recently. It will be interesting to see whether or not BJP can repeat its 2019 performance.
In the state of Karnataka, the Lingayat group has been a staunch BJP supporter. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is also trying to attract this community. The tussle between Congress and BJP is on the rise. The competition between the two National parties will be intense in this state.
-Rahul Dubey