Bijapur: A triangular contest in the offing in this tourist city

Bijapur (Karnataka), May 21 : Voting will take place in Bijapur, Karnataka's premier cultural and heritage city, on Thursday, and current trends suggest a fierce triangular contest between the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal -Secular.

Voters here are divided on a community basis and not on issues. For them, drainage, civic problems and water problems are their irritants. They, however, are guarded about revealing their mind on the outcome of the election.

This time, 20 candidates are in the fray in Bijapur constituency, a record of sorts in Karnataka.

For Janata Dal-Secular candidate Mahabari Bandenawaj Hussein Saab, the May 22 polls is a quest for consolidating Muslim votes and to keep communal elements away. He is confident about taking on the BJP in a direct fight.

For Congress candidate Horthi Saahebmodin Abdulrahimana, the electoral wave is in favour of the Congress and for a stable government.

Bijapur has over 55000 Muslim voters and the consolidation of its votes will play a crucial role in the results expected on Thursday. By K.G. Vasuki

ANI