Karnataka polls: High-stake battles to watch out for

Come May 10, Karnataka will vote for a new government in a single phase in this year's mega Assembly election. The polls will see an intense fight between the ruling BJP, Congress and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS).

In a nutshell, BJP is aiming to retain power in Karnataka, the only southern State where it is in power, while Congress is trying to make a comeback and JDS is battling for its survival. After a high-voltage campaign, especially the back-to-back rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all eyes are now set on the heavyweights.

A total of 2,613 candidates - 2,427 males and only 184 females - are fighting elections this time. The counting of votes will be held on May 13. In the 224-member House, a party needs to win at least 113 seats to attain majority and form government on its own.

In a high-stake battle, Congress has fielded Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan against Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai from Shiggaon. Bommai won the 2018 Assembly election with a victory margin of 9,265 votes against Sayed Azeem Peer Khadri (Congress).

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and JDS chief H.D. Kumaraswamy is pitted against local strongman C.P. Yogeshwar of BJP, who has represented the constituency five times under different parties.

Varuna segment is set for an interesting battle as Congress stalwart, former Chief Minister and main contender of chief-ministership Siddaramaiah is contesting against V. Somanna from BJP and Dr Bharathi Shankar from JDS. Siddaramaiah is seeking re-election from his old constituency, which he had 'sacrificed' for his son S. Yathindra in 2018.

Kanakapura too is in for a high-profile battle between Congress' State president D.K. Shivakumar and BJP leader R. Ashok. In this Vokkaliga belt, Shivakumar has retained the seat since 2008 and his vote share has only increased over the years.

Sons of former Karnataka Chief Minister late S. Bangarappa - Kumar and Madhu Bangarappa - will once again cross swords in Soraba, a constituency represented by their father. The brothers have been electoral opponents since 2004, even when Bangarappa was alive.

In a battle of prestige, two-time MLA Mahesh Kumathallim is contesting against Laxman Savadi, who joined Congress after being denied a ticket by BJP.

All eyes would be on Hubballi-Dharwad's central seat with former BJP veteran Jagdish Shettar switching over to Congress. BJP candidate Mahesh Tenginkai has described it as a 'guru-shishya' contest, but the former Chief Minister rejects the billing, saying Tenginkai's "guru is in Delhi".

Somashekar Reddy is fighting to keep his hold on Ballari city with his sister-in-law contesting under G. Janardhana Reddy's KJPP. JDS candidate Anil Lad and Congress greenhorn Bharath Reddy make the battle interesting.