Karnataka polls: This is how Cong has outlined its caste equations

Caste plays a significant role in Karnataka politics. The upcoming State election is expected to see realignment of caste allegiance in the backdrop of intense debate over Lingayat community.

Lingayats constitute about 17 per cent of Karnataka's population, and the community has sway in nearly 100 seats out of total 224 constituencies, most of these seats being in the North Karnataka region. They have stood as the backbone of the ruling BJP for a long time now.

Vokkaligas, the second major community in Karnataka, constitute 15 per cent while OBCs form 35 per cent, SC/STs 18 per cent, Muslims about 12.92 per cent and Brahmins about 3 per cent.

Traditionally, Lingayats vote for the BJP while Vokkaligas back Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) and the Congress thrives on the bloc comprising Muslims, SCs/STs and division of the upper caste votes.

This time, Congress has earmarked 51 seats for the Lingayats community, followed by the second dominant community Vokkaliga at 45 in its list of 213 candidates for the next month's Assembly elections.

The party has also given 36 seats to SC candidates and 14 seats to the Kuruba community, which former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah belongs to. To woo the minority community, Congress has given 15 seats to Muslims while seven seats were allotted to Brahmins.

Notably, in 2018, BJP fielded 67 Lingayats while Congress fielded 43. In the present Assembly, there are 54 Lingayat MLAs from across parties, including 37 from the ruling BJP.

Karnataka has seen 23 Chief Ministers from Lingayat community since 1952, followed by six Vokkaligas, five from Backward Classes and two Brahmins.

Until 1989, the Lingayats stood behind Congress. But the unceremonious sacking of then Chief Minister Veerendra Patil, a Lingayat, by Rajiv Gandhi in 1990 turned the community against the party. Congress, which had won 178 of the total 224 seats in the 1989 elections under the leadership of Veerendra Patil, was decreased to 34 seats in the next election.

With the emergence of B.S. Yediyurappa in BJP, the Vokkaligas shifted their loyalty towards the saffron party, making Karnataka its southern citadel. It is to be seen which way the community will tilt this time.