Will Rebel Star Ambareesh be BJP's ticket to the Vokkaliga vote in Karnataka

New Delhi, June 21: There is mayhem in the Karnataka Congress following the cabinet reshuffle. The Congress office situated on Queens Road witnessed day long protests. Rebel Star M H Ambareesh even tendered his resignation and many others are expected to follow suit.

This crisis in the Karnataka Congress has raised some hope for both the BJP and the JD(S) who are burning the midnight oil to rope in the likes of Srinivas Prasad and Ambareesh.

While the supporters of Srinivas Prasad who was dropped from the ministry have ruled out him quitting the party, there is not much clarity on what Ambareesh would do.

The Vokkaliga vote:

M H Ambareesh is a popular face of the Vokkaliga community. The BJP which relies heavily on the Lingayat votes is hoping to make inroads into the Vokkaliga community which has traditionally sided either with the Congress or the JD(S).

The BJP is looking to make inroads in the Mandya, Mysururu and Chamrajnagar districts which have a dominant Vokkaliga vote.

Following the reshuffle leaders of both the JD(S) and the BJP got in touch with Srinivas Prasad. The BJP is also likely to get in touch with Ambareesh. So far leaders of the JD(S) and BJP who have called up Prasad have only expressed sympathy with him.

Yeddyurappa was one of the first to call Prasad. He told him that such things were part of public life and also added that he would meet with him soon in Bengaluru.

The BJP feels that if these leaders join the party, it would strengthen their chances. The BJP already has put in place leaders to ensure that votes from the Lingayat and Nayaka community swing in their favour.

While Yeddyurappa is a sure shot bet among the Lingayats, the Nayaka community votes would come through Sriramulu.

OneIndia News