The second phase of the election for 14 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka are over and the state has recorded a robust 69. 17 per cent voting on an average with Shivamogga topping with 79 per cent voting in the state. The lowest in the second phase being in Kalburgi with just 60.12 per cent. This means the political conditions prevailing in Karnataka has not changed much to the liking of the political parties that have been allegedly involved in engineering a piquant situation for each other.
A virulent issue that had the potential to change the political scenario before second phase has not achieved its objective. The issue was the sleaze videos of the MP of Hassan Prjwal Revanna who is also a member of a powerful political family. The video shows explicit sequences of the MP allegedly being in a compromising situation. The political slugfest between the BJP and Congress on this issue had reached a crescendo on Tuesday – the day of polling. But when the percentages started rolling in the matter became clearer that the issue had not impacted the polling percentage in any way and Karnataka voters had followed the traditional voting pattern of the last few decades.
Prajwal Revanna had fled the country, and his whereabouts are not even known to his party leaders. His party had aligned with the BJP for 2024 and one of the three seats which is that of the JDS share in the alliance was Hassan. The voting for this seat had been completed in the first phase (26 April)
The return of Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna to his home state of Karnataka was anticipated on Tuesday but did not happen. The special investigation team that had kept all the airports under its microscope has now reached a point of despair as a big chunk of the police force is now idle in the airports. Since then the SIT has flagged a blue flag with the Interpol and if the MP on the run did not return and submit himself to investigation, the SIT may even flag a red corner flag against him, marking a pivotal moment in a scandal that has gripped the political landscape.
The political slugfest between the BJP and Congress on this issue had reached a crescendo on Tuesday- the day of polling. But when the percentages started rolling in the matter became clearer that the issue had not impacted the polling percentage in any way and Karnataka voters had followed the traditional voting pattern of the last few decades
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Facing grave accusations of rape and coercion, Revanna has found himself ensnared in a web of legal proceedings. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) lookout notice and a blue corner notice stand as stark reminders of the gravity of the allegations against him. Despite the persistent calls from leaders within his party, the Janata Dal (Secular), for his return, Revanna has remained elusive since his departure from Bangalore on April 26, leaving a void that has yet to be filled.
The timing of Revanna’s return is shrouded in uncertainty, with political calculus intersecting with legal imperatives. Speculation abounds that he may delay his return until after the electoral dust settles, mindful of the potential repercussions on the political landscape.
While Revanna’s legal woes dominate headlines, the political fallout reverberates across the state. The scandal threatens to cast a shadow over the BJP-JD(S) alliance’s electoral prospects, particularly in the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies of north Karnataka slated to vote on May 7. JD(S), while wielding limited influence in these areas, boasts pockets of support in districts like Raichur, Kalaburagi, and Vijayapura, territories the Congress eyes hungrily as potential battlegrounds.
In regions like Kalyana Karnataka, where JD(S) once held sway among Backward Castes and Muslims, the scandal has served as a catalyst for change.
The Congress, ever vigilant for opportunities to undermine BJP’s narrative, has seized upon Revanna’s scandal as a potent weapon in its arsenal. The party’s campaign strategy has pivoted, focusing on BJP’s perceived hypocrisy in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” initiative. Pictures of Revanna alongside Modi flood social media channels, a visual reminder of the Congress’s efforts to erode BJP’s support among its core constituencies.
However, the impact of Revanna’s scandal extends beyond mere political manoeuvring. In regions like Kalyana Karnataka, where JD(S) once held sway among Backward Castes and Muslims, the scandal has served as a catalyst for change. The erosion of JD(S)’s support base, evident even before the scandal broke, has accelerated, leaving BJP’s traditional Lingayat voters in a state of flux. The prospect of a fractured electoral landscape looms large, with the potential for seismic shifts in voter sentiment.
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In districts like Belagavi, Bijapur, and Bagalkot, where BJP’s dominance has been unassailable in the past, Revanna’s scandal threatens to upend the status quo. The scandal has struck a chord with women voters, a demographic traditionally overlooked in political discourse. Their collective outrage, amplified by the media’s relentless coverage, poses a formidable challenge to BJP’s electoral calculus, particularly in constituencies where women turnout exceeds that of men.
Yet, amidst the cacophony of political posturing and legal wrangling, the voices of ordinary citizens often go unheard. In rural hamlets and urban enclaves alike, voters grapple with the fallout of Revanna’s actions, wrestling with questions of trust and accountability. For them, the scandal is not merely a political spectacle but a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy itself.
As the saga unfolds, Karnataka finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the implications of Revanna’s scandal for its political future. The coming days will test the resilience of its democratic institutions, as legal proceedings unfold and electoral fortunes hang in the balance. In this crucible of uncertainty, one thing remains clear: the road ahead is fraught with peril, yet ripe with opportunity for those willing to seize it.
