Advantage Revu Naik, disadvantage Gulbarga?
Amidst the cacophony of election, I didn’t wish to add another opinion. But everyday another event is occurring that signifies a meaning needing communication. Hence, this outlook with the smut isolated as far as possible.
Gulbarga parliamentary constituency has been a traditional Congress stronghold. It was here that a rank outsider Mr. C. M. Stephen (Tippanna here) was brought to contest after his defeat at New Delhi in 1980. In the last 16 Lok Sabha elections held, Congress has been victorious on 14 number of occasions, while, BJP & JDS once each.
From Congress, Swami Ramanand Teerth, Mahadevappa Rampure, Dharam Singh, C. M. Stephen, Veerendra Patil, Dr. B. G. Jawali & Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi were elected. Baswaraj Patil Sedam & Qamarul Islam represented BJP & JDS respectively.
But, this is the first Lok Sabha election being held after delimitation of constituency. Conspicuously, Gulbarga seat is now a reserved one contrary to it being General seat for last 16 occasions.
The performance of contestants in the last Assembly election held after the delimitation process might through some light on the results of the ensuing elections.
Gulbarga parliamentary constituency with 15,14,490 votes harbours 8 assembly seats. Namely, Afzalpur with 1,81,559 voters, Jewargi with 1,88,432 voters, Gurmitkal with 1,80, 374, Chitapur (SC) – 1,88,368, Sedam – 1,73,656, Gulbarga Rural (SC) – 2,15,700, Gulbarga South – 1,92,144, and Gulbarga North with 1, 94, 257 voters.
In the last assembly election Congress (I) was able to win 5 seats of the 8 seats, with the rest going to BJP. Interestingly, the present main candidates Mallikarjun Kharge and Revu Naik Singh are seating legislators from Chitapur and Gulbarga rural constituency. Both won their respective seats handsomely and thereafter are holding constitutional posts of Leader of Opposition and Cabinet Minister post in the present State Government. Mallikarjun Kharge has won for last 9 terms without losing any elections till this date. Similarly, Revu Naik has never lost while winning on 4 consecutive times. Similarity doesn’t end there, both are testing their luck at parliamentary polls for the first time.
In Performance and approach both are totally different. Stark contrast. Mallikarjun Kharge appears tough, no nonsense guy, catering to his constituency of community and electorate. His former constituency, Gurmitkal was considered to be a model assembly constituency. He is credited with establishing the state level police-training centre at Naganahalli, Gulbarga and Budh Vihar a gigantic monument in the whole of Asia on the outskirts of Gulbarga. Conscious people believe he has the capability of exerting at the Centre if he desires in addressing the issues of Amendment to Article 371 granting special status to this region, establishment of railway zone etc which have been pending for long irrespective of either Government at the Centre. The lack of towering and influencing representative was attributed.
While Revu Naik, virtually illiterate with schooling of up to 5th standard is credited with having maverick memory. He has the capability to retain 10 digit mobile numbers of most of his acquaintances. A clean, humble and approachable person, he is known to enamour people with his simple yet convincing communication. He may not have the stature, education and experience of his opponent, but he has his own way of getting the work done successfully.
This very stature, inapproachability and the accusation of being unhelpful to the majority community are undoing Mallikarjun Kharge. Added, the anti incumbency factor of such a long duration amongst his community itself is serious. He is accused of not having developed leadership amongst his community while promoting his family members all through.
In response to Mallikarjun Kharge’s expressed reluctance to move to centre, B. S. Yediveerappa in a smart move asks the electorate not to send a reluctant member to the centre. ‘Why do you want to send a Chief Minister aspirant to the centre? Let Kharge be here in the state’ is Yediveerappa’s suggestion to the receptive crowd.
Though, Siddaramiah was pressurizing the high command to suitably accommodate him in the hierarchy of the state for long. The insistence amidst the electioneering and the high command yielding is intriguing. Many are questioning the haste and wrong timing. Does it hint much more than what is obvious. Many read the uncertainty of Congress winning from Gulbarga. In case that happens asking Mallikarjun Kharge to resign in favour of Siddaramiah would be a formidable task is the reason they quote.
While discussing Revu Naik’s candidature, one is reminded of Late Ramachandrappa Veerappa, the doyen from neighbouring Bidar Constituency. He created history for having got elected on maximum number of occasions and also being the oldest member of the parliament.
Revu Naik & Ramachandrappa Veerappa have brilliant similarities. Elections often fought on emotional plane rather than informed decision; it will be historic to see whether Revu Naik Singh will follow Ramachandrappa Veerappa’s footsteps.
If so, will it be disadvantage Gulbarga?
Sharad
Gulbarga parliamentary constituency has been a traditional Congress stronghold. It was here that a rank outsider Mr. C. M. Stephen (Tippanna here) was brought to contest after his defeat at New Delhi in 1980. In the last 16 Lok Sabha elections held, Congress has been victorious on 14 number of occasions, while, BJP & JDS once each.
From Congress, Swami Ramanand Teerth, Mahadevappa Rampure, Dharam Singh, C. M. Stephen, Veerendra Patil, Dr. B. G. Jawali & Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi were elected. Baswaraj Patil Sedam & Qamarul Islam represented BJP & JDS respectively.
But, this is the first Lok Sabha election being held after delimitation of constituency. Conspicuously, Gulbarga seat is now a reserved one contrary to it being General seat for last 16 occasions.
The performance of contestants in the last Assembly election held after the delimitation process might through some light on the results of the ensuing elections.
Gulbarga parliamentary constituency with 15,14,490 votes harbours 8 assembly seats. Namely, Afzalpur with 1,81,559 voters, Jewargi with 1,88,432 voters, Gurmitkal with 1,80, 374, Chitapur (SC) – 1,88,368, Sedam – 1,73,656, Gulbarga Rural (SC) – 2,15,700, Gulbarga South – 1,92,144, and Gulbarga North with 1, 94, 257 voters.
In the last assembly election Congress (I) was able to win 5 seats of the 8 seats, with the rest going to BJP. Interestingly, the present main candidates Mallikarjun Kharge and Revu Naik Singh are seating legislators from Chitapur and Gulbarga rural constituency. Both won their respective seats handsomely and thereafter are holding constitutional posts of Leader of Opposition and Cabinet Minister post in the present State Government. Mallikarjun Kharge has won for last 9 terms without losing any elections till this date. Similarly, Revu Naik has never lost while winning on 4 consecutive times. Similarity doesn’t end there, both are testing their luck at parliamentary polls for the first time.
In Performance and approach both are totally different. Stark contrast. Mallikarjun Kharge appears tough, no nonsense guy, catering to his constituency of community and electorate. His former constituency, Gurmitkal was considered to be a model assembly constituency. He is credited with establishing the state level police-training centre at Naganahalli, Gulbarga and Budh Vihar a gigantic monument in the whole of Asia on the outskirts of Gulbarga. Conscious people believe he has the capability of exerting at the Centre if he desires in addressing the issues of Amendment to Article 371 granting special status to this region, establishment of railway zone etc which have been pending for long irrespective of either Government at the Centre. The lack of towering and influencing representative was attributed.
While Revu Naik, virtually illiterate with schooling of up to 5th standard is credited with having maverick memory. He has the capability to retain 10 digit mobile numbers of most of his acquaintances. A clean, humble and approachable person, he is known to enamour people with his simple yet convincing communication. He may not have the stature, education and experience of his opponent, but he has his own way of getting the work done successfully.
This very stature, inapproachability and the accusation of being unhelpful to the majority community are undoing Mallikarjun Kharge. Added, the anti incumbency factor of such a long duration amongst his community itself is serious. He is accused of not having developed leadership amongst his community while promoting his family members all through.
In response to Mallikarjun Kharge’s expressed reluctance to move to centre, B. S. Yediveerappa in a smart move asks the electorate not to send a reluctant member to the centre. ‘Why do you want to send a Chief Minister aspirant to the centre? Let Kharge be here in the state’ is Yediveerappa’s suggestion to the receptive crowd.
Though, Siddaramiah was pressurizing the high command to suitably accommodate him in the hierarchy of the state for long. The insistence amidst the electioneering and the high command yielding is intriguing. Many are questioning the haste and wrong timing. Does it hint much more than what is obvious. Many read the uncertainty of Congress winning from Gulbarga. In case that happens asking Mallikarjun Kharge to resign in favour of Siddaramiah would be a formidable task is the reason they quote.
While discussing Revu Naik’s candidature, one is reminded of Late Ramachandrappa Veerappa, the doyen from neighbouring Bidar Constituency. He created history for having got elected on maximum number of occasions and also being the oldest member of the parliament.
Revu Naik & Ramachandrappa Veerappa have brilliant similarities. Elections often fought on emotional plane rather than informed decision; it will be historic to see whether Revu Naik Singh will follow Ramachandrappa Veerappa’s footsteps.
If so, will it be disadvantage Gulbarga?
Sharad
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