‘Locals vs outsiders’ debate heats up in Karnataka Tumkur ahead of Lok Sabha polls

While V Somanna is from Bengaluru, Mr Gowda is proud to be a local candidate

Tumkur (Karnataka):

As election excitement intensifies in Karnataka, Tumkur Lok Sabha constituency near Bengaluru is witnessing a showdown between the BJP and the Congress.

The contest pits veteran BJP politician and former minister V Somanna against Congress nominee and former judge Muddahanume Gowda, a former MP.

One point of contention in this electoral conflict revolves around the issue of local representation versus outside influence. While Mr Somanna hails from Bengaluru, Mr Gowda is proud to be a local candidate and emphasizes his approachability and connection with the people of Tumkur.

“I am a local here and I have easy access to my Tumkur people, unlike my opponent from Bengaluru,” Mr Godda told news agency ANI, highlighting his success in the constituency. Advantages of grassroots existence.

In response, BJP candidate Somanna did not hesitate to hit back, lashing out at the Congress leadership. “Who are the Congress leaders? Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. Where are they from?” he retorted, suggesting that the Congress leadership itself was out of touch with the grassroots.

The remarks reflected not only the fierce contest for the Tumkur seat but also the broader ideological clash between the two political giants, each vying for supremacy in Karnataka’s political landscape.

As the election date approaches, the stakes continue to rise, with both parties leaving no stone unturned to sway voters in their favor. The battle lines have been drawn and Tumkur finds himself at the center of a political storm, awaiting voters’ verdict on polling day.

Population Dynamics Know the voters in Tumkur Lok Sabha constituency

As the political battleground in Tumkur Lok Sabha constituency intensifies, a closer look at its demographic makeup reveals the intricacies of voter preferences and communal ties.

With more than 1.6 million eligible voters, the constituency is home to diverse communities, each with their own influence on the electoral stage.

According to the latest data, the Vokkaliga community constitutes the largest group of voters, accounting for 15% of the electorate. They are followed by the Lingayat community, which accounts for 14.4% of the electorate, followed by the Muslim community, which accounts for 9.5%.

The Scheduled Caste (SC) electorate is divided into two important segments, with the SC Left accounting for 9.4% of the electorate and the SC Right accounting for 4.1%.

Other noteworthy communities include Scheduled Tribes (ST) (7%), Kurubas (6%), Goras (5.8%) and Tigras (5.1%).

Such intricate voter demographics underscore the importance of community-based politics in Tumkur, where candidates must navigate complex webs of affiliations and allegiances to ensure electoral success.

As parties strategize and campaigns intensify, understanding the nuances of these demographic dynamics will be critical to shaping election outcomes and determining the future trajectory of Tumkur’s political landscape.

Tumkur constituency is scheduled to go to polls in the second phase on April 26.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)