JD(S) losing Muslim vote & Channapatna: Yogeshwar

Congress candidate from Channapatna CP Yogeshwar reckoned that the populous Muslim community of Channapatna had abandoned JD(S) ticket holder Nikhil Kumaraswamy, ensuring the latter’s defeat in the November 13 by-election. Speaking exclusively to News Trail, Yogeshwar a five-time local MLA said that in his estimation, Muslims had voted heavily in favour of JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy in the 2018 and 2023 Assembly elections, handing him defeats both times.

It is to be noted that Yogheshwar contested on a BJP ticket both times. The former MLA implied that since JD(S) had tied up with the BJP, they had lost Muslim support. Muslims are the second most populous community in the Channapatna seat, accounting for some 14.28 per cent and upwards of 35,000 votes, according to unofficial estimates. Meanwhile, the constituency is dominated by the landed Vokkaliga caste who account for 59 per cent and over 1,37,000 voters. Notably, both Yogeshwar and Yogeshwar are Vokkaligas. “Last time (2023), the Muslim community totally supported Kumaraswamy.

This time around, none (from the community) is supporting them (JDS). Not only Muslim community, the whole taluk isn’t supporting them. I’m being received well and I’ll win,” Yogeshwar said. Kumaraswamy vacated Channapatna in June after he won the Mandya Lok Sabha seat, necessitating a by-poll.

Tug of war over irrigation: Yogeshwar also insisted that his track-record of rejuvenating lakes in the taluk was well documented, adding that the JD(S) was falsely claiming irrigation work in the constituency. His supporters dub him “adhunika Bhagiratha” (modern version of the king in Hindu mythology, who brought the river Ganges to earth) and “niravari nayaka” (leader who got irrigation works done). JD(S) insists that they should be credited with irrigating the parched Ramanagar district because the Iggalur Reservoir was completed under party patriarch HD Devegowda.

“Devegowda and Iggalur Reservoir have nothing to do with each other. They won twice by spreading such lies,” Yogheswar said. “It (Iggalur Reservoir) was made a long time ago. It (the dam) has been named after Devegowda because he served as the PM and CM. Now, there is a Kuvempu Road here (in Channapatna). It wasn’t built by Kuvempu. It was named for him out of respect,” he added. Congress maintains the Iaggalur Reservoir under Congress CM Devaraj Urs. Yogeshwar also denied Kumaraswamy’s claim that he was offered the NDAcandidacy from Channapatna on either a BJP or JD(S) ticket. “If they (NDA) had given me the ticket, there would have been no dispute. He (Kumaraswamy) is lying. He was toying with me, all the while intending to field his son,” he said. “My thought was that Congress has formed the government and I can do good work (as their MLA),” he added.