Bangalore:

There are two days left for the Karnataka Assembly elections and as always money power is a concern in the state. Not just that, the state Election Watch finds that more than 20 per cent of candidates have criminal records.

Political parties may have promised to make the Karnataka 2013 Assembly polls a clean one, but a report by the Karnataka Election Watch shows that nearly 21 per cent of contesting candidates this year have criminal records.

110 candidates have serious criminal cases against them. This includes 13 candidates across various political parties, who have been charged with murder and two candidates from the Karnataka Janata Paksha, who have been charged with rape. 18 candidates also have cases registered against them under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

K\'taka polls: Candidates with criminal records a concern

A report by the Karnataka Election Watch shows that nearly 21 per cent of contesting candidates this year have criminal records.

With the Congress topping the list that has 55 candidates with criminal records, the Bharatiya Janata Party has fresh ammunition in hand. "Rahul Gandhi had promised there would not be such type of candidates. So I am surprised these people are contesting," BJP spokesperson S Prakash.

The crorepati club has also fanned out this time, with an average asset increase of nearly 79 per cent. Congress leader DK Sivakumar's assets have seen the steepest rise of Rs 175 crore. But Congress candidate Priya Krishna remains the richest with total assets worth Rs 910 crore.

The report also shows that only 56 per cent candidates possess graduate or higher degrees. So will voters actually swing their votes based on the data in this report or will money power and influence once again capture political seats?

source:http://ibnlive.in.com/

Mangalore:

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at the government over what he called was an extremely timid foreign policy. He also launched an indirect attack on Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, called him 'Mr Golden Spoon'.

Speaking in Mangalore during an election rally in Karnataka, Modi said, "This Mr Golden Spoon says he follows the principals of Mahatma Gandhi. Does this Mr Golden Spoon know that Mahatma Gandhi wanted to dismantle the Congress party," Modi said. Earlier in April, Rahul Gandhi had said he was a follower of Mahatma gandhi.

Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Modi added, "Can Mr Golden Spoon tell us when will Congress be dismantled? We are in a hurry," Modi said.

Modi takes a dig at Rahul, calls him 'Mr Golden Spoon'

"Can Mr Golden Spoon tell us when will Congress be dismantled? We are in a hurry," Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said.

Modi lashed out at the government over Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh's death in Pakistan saying it failed to put pressure on Pakistan. "The government had the time to make the countries across the world aware about the case of Sarabjit. The government left the matter on the poor family, did not listen to the appeals of the family," Modi said.

Calling for a 'Congress-free Karnataka' and a 'Congress-free India', Modi also pointed out how India has failed to take a strong stand against other countries. "We are not getting even a single country in the world to speak with us. What are you doing PM sahab. Maldives, a small country is also daring us. Bangladesh is not listening to us. India's SC had to intervene to get Italian marines back," Modi said.

source:http://ibnlive.in.com/

The Karnataka Assembly polls are just four days away. As the state votes to elect a new government, national political parties will look to it as a dress rehearsal for the general elections.

The regional parties will also expect to fare well so as to grab a significant share in the power-sharing arrangement in the state in case of a hung Assembly.

Dr Sandeep Shastri, social scientist and analyst joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on the issue.

Q. Coalgate, 2G, CBI and law ministry incident has any effect in damaging congress in Karnataka assembly. If so how serious it is? Asked by: Satya

Caste will be crucial factor in Karnataka polls: Dr Sandeep Shastri

Karnataka Assembly elections: predictions and possibilities

A. I agree Satya these are seriously embarrassing issues for the Congress party.... however, this is a state assembly election and the BJP government in Karnataka has more serious embarrassments to face and deal with.

Q. Congress seems to have lost the momentum it gained in local election due to paltry effort in ticket distribution. whats your take on this? Asked by: Yash

A. Yes Yash, the Congress did make some mess of its candidate selection .... it has been able to stitch together some unity finally.

Q. Has BJP come back into reckoning especially after Modi's speech in Bangalore? Asked by: Ankit

A. Ankit, Modi's speech was clearly 'music for the ears' of BJP supporters. While the speech may have had an impact on the audience and party workers... will it translate into seats is a totally different 'political' ball game.

Q. Do you still think one party will get a clear majority? Asked by: ananya r gowda

A. Ananya, as voting day approaches it looks as if the Congress could move close to the majority mark or just above it.

Q. Will BJP end up as the second or third largest party thinking that KJP/BSR will definetly prevent it from becoming single largest? Asked by: Chetan

A. The race between BJP and JDS for the second and third position is close, Chetan. At the start of the campaign BJP seemed in second place. The JDS appears to have gained ground during the campaign.

Q. Mr Krishna boycott the PM election rally, it seems infighting in Cong going to anyway benefit BJP? Asked by: Hari

A. Hari, infighting is nothing new to the Congress. It will surely have an impact on the party. This explains why there is this debate on whether the Congress will fall short of a majority or just managed to scramble past the half way mark.

Q. From Media its understood that people upset with current govt, So congress can get more negative votes or JDS will get more negative votes? Asked by: Hari

A. Hari, you are right that there are two parties which stand to benefit from the anti-incumbency vote - Congress and JDS. The JDS has a more limited spread in the Bangalore and Southern Karnataka regions. The Congress base is much more wide spread. The Congress may be able to corner a bulk of the anti incumbency vote.

Q. Will BJP's campaign strategy of focussing on BJP stronghold and BJP tilting/swing seats pay dividends and will this provide a bonus to its total tally even though it is possibly going to be second largest tally? Asked by: CP

A. CP it is an interesting and important strategy which may help the party salvage some of the political space it seems to be fast vacating.

Q. Will the Congress really be able to manage a majority Asked by: vaishnavi hiremath

A. Vaishnavi, they should have been able to do it with a comfortable majority. Their squabbles and speaking in multiple voices could take its toll.

Q. If there is a hung assembly, who will be able to form coalition govt? Asked by: Mehul

A. Mehul, this depends on how close is the single largest party to a majority. If the distance from the half way mark is small, independents can be roped it. If there is a need for two of the three principal players - Congress, JDS and BJP, to come together, the deciding factor would be: whom will the JDS be able to strike a better deal with?

Q. After Massive crowd turnout Do you see any change in BJP's prospects? Asked by: Aman Ujjwal Bangalore

A. Aman are you talking of the turnout for the Modi rally... if yes then we need to see whether the campaign turnout will convert into voter turnout.

Q. It is bizarre that Congress after creating new world records in corruption will get hold of Karnataka. What can ordinary citizens do given that they are fed up with the corruption levels in state BJP? Asked by: Dilip

A. Dilip, I can understand your dilemma and frustration. Increasing number of voters are saying that we will back good candidates irrespective of parties. B-PAC the citizen initiative is doing just that.

Q. Will caste continue to be important? Asked by: ananya r gowda

A. Definitely Ananya, caste cannot be cast away. It is and will remain crucial in Karnataka. Caste is today an identity and no longer limited to the ritual, conservatism and exploitation of the past.

Q. In your opinion do you think One Rally of Modi can change the fortune of BJP in Karnataka? Asked by: Aliuddin

A. It may boost the morale of party workers but can work little magic in the campaign and may not impact on the result.

Q. Do you think if there will be any changes whatever party comes to power. Given the fact that congress and BJP and two sides of a same coin. Asked by: toms

A. Toms, I too sometimes tend to be cynical that will there will be any substantial change at the ground level. Lets hope that the Congress would be sufficiently chastened having been out of power for some time.

Q. How much seats BJP will get in next week's election? Asked by: Gyana

A. Gyana that's a tough one. If they cross 50 it would be a creditable achievement.

Q. Since last one week, as per information from newspapers,things are changing on ground for the good of BJP and as Modi is jumped into campaigning changed at bit. Got to know couple of more rallies are arranged for Modi today. What's your take? Will BJP able to cross 70+ seats? Asked by: anil

A. Anil, Recovery may be too late in the day..... Modi just addressed one rally in Bangalore and scheduled to address one more. It would be a real miracle if one rally could so dramatically change the electoral fortunes of a party.

Q. Don't you think that after reading what is written on the wall, BJP half halfheartedly campaigning in Karnataka. Even Modi was sent just to save the face of the party and avoid questions? Party high command is already accepted the defeat. Asked by: Aliuddin

A. Aliuddin a lot of people believe that the party has accepted being voted out and are going through the motions to salvage what little is possible. This is clearly visible in the body language of the leaders and the content of their campaign speeches. If they were sensing victory the campaign would have been more vigorous and Modi would not have addressed just one rally.

Q. If there is a hung assembly, who will be able to form coalition govt? Asked by: Mehul

A. Depends on who is the front runner and how many seats is that party short of a majority. Can they manage with independents or would they need the support of one of the major parties. If a two party coalition becomes inevitable, I think the JDS then hold the key.

Q. Dr Shastri, you seem to be unduly harsh on the BJP and soft on the Congress. Why so? Asked by: S Govardhan

A. Govardhan, that is the ground reality. I try to be consciously independent and objective in my analysis as I do not hold a brief for any party. Yes I am critical of the BJP government because of what the state has seen in the last five years and what our survey data points out to. I am not soft on the Congress.... If you read my earlier chats, I have been very critical of the Congress and have been so in response to earlier questions in this chat. Thanks for your comment as it reminds us to constantly remain objective.

Q. In case of a Congress govt coming to power, how much will this victory mean to the UPA at the centre? Asked by: JK

A. It will be a morale booster to the Congress led UPA. The margin by which they secure a majority will be critical. This will be one of the few good moments the party would have for quite some time.

Q. Modi used very sparingly in this campaign..What does it prove?..don't you think that people would be more cautious about the BJP's/Modi's abilities to influence voters in states where they are not powerful?.. Asked by: JK

A. JK, Modi not coming to Karnataka in a big way was anticipated for several reasons. One, he himself may not like to be part of a losing campaign... Second, a lot of flak for the present crisis in the BJP lies at the door of the Central leadership of the party. A defeat would require a re-alignment which could only help Modi. His staying away from the campaign could be linked to this factor too.

Q. Isn't very east to get elected in the election, provided the candidate comes every month to the public instead of once in years with folded hands and begging. Asked by: rakesh

A. Rakesh, I could not put the point better than you.

Q. Has namo campaign atleast energies BJP cadres and made them feel something proud,and enthusiastic about him? Asked by: purushottam

A. Yes Purushottam to an extent.

Q. Why is there a general media bias against the BJP in Karnataka? Asked by: S Govardhan

A. Govardhan, I am not sure whether there is a media bias against the BJP. Any ruling party will get flak for what it has not done and I think that is happening to the BJP.

Q. Whatever the results now, Do you think that the results would be different for the Lok Sabha elections?..or it would be on the same lines as people vote now? Asked by: JK

A. From Karnataka, they may be only marginal differences especially if there is some realignment in the BJP after the Assembly polls.

Q. Since the anti-incumbency votes will be divided between the INC, the JD (S), the KJP and the BSR Congress, don't you think that the BJP has a good chance of returning to power? After all, with all the so-called brouhaha over 'corruption' allegations, the BJP government has done reasonably good on development parameters and was as recently as 21st April, awarded two out of the seven prizes up for garbs for the states by none other the Congress-led UPA government. Asked by: Rittwik Bhattacharyya

A. Thanks Ritwik for those insights. The anti BJP vote will be largely split between the Congress and JDS. The BSR Cong and KJP is likely to split the BJP vote and I see no reason why the anti BJP vote should go to them as they were part of that dispensation and also need to take the blame for its shortcomings. The JDS has a presence in Old Mysore region and will be a strong contender for the anti-incumbency vote there. The Congress has the advantage of having a presence across the 224 constituencies and thus is in a better position to receive the anti-BJP vote. On the point of the BJP government having won recognition, it does not seem to be felt at the ground level to the extent that it could tilt the balance in their favour.

Q. Do not BJP workers still support Yeddyurappa and will it not be better for the BJP to bring hm back to the party? Asked by: Yeddyman

A. Oh your screen name indicates where your support lies!!! Yes, many among the rank and file of the BJP cadres still feel that Yeddyurappa's presence in the BJP could make a difference.

source:http://ibnlive.in.com

Door-to-door campaigns are passé, social media provides politicians an additional platform to campaign, politicians move to social media.

Bangalore:

Padayatras, door-to-door campaigns and public rallies are the second choice for some senior political leaders in Karnataka who have realised the impact social media can make on people today and have quickly opened accounts on Facebook and Twitter.

While social media provides politicians an additional platform to campaign, the real competition is who gets the maximum hits.

Young politicians like Krishna Byregowda and Priya Krishna, both Congress, have had accounts for long but their party veterans like G Parameshwara and Siddaramaiah have opened accounts just weeks before the poll process started, as also Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and his deputy R Ashoka.
AFP An election rally in Karnataka.

AFP However, most of them do not operate their accounts personally or reply to the comments, they are managed by professionals hired for the purpose. Ashoka is candid enough to admit that he does not operate
his account on a day-to-day basis.

Some experts in Basavanagudi are doing voluntary service and are operating his page which has got considerable hits ever since it went live a few weeks ago. Health Minister Arvind Limbavali who has been popular in the social media going by the hits he has received, says this mode of communication has helped him reach out to many segments of society.

With his friends’ list crossing 5,000, he has opened a new account.

Pictures of politicians as the “good samaritan” doing social work and involving themselves in humanitarian service are their biggest USP on social media. One such picture that has got many comments for Ashoka is
the placard which says “we don’t have vote but heart for you”, by north eastern students.

This was when the Deputy Chief Minister recently participated in a function organised by the north eastern
community settled in Bangalore. Hundreds of students from the North-East had fled Bangalore on fears of reprisal attacks in the wake of violence in Assam a few months ago.

For Siddaramaiah, most of the pictures are of him canvassing. Now a separate page “Siddaramaiah as CM”, has been opened and is operated by his son Rakesh.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has talked about government schemes as part of his achievements and has over 5,000 hits to his name.

Shobha Karandlaje, former Minister and leader of former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa led Karnataka Janatha Party, has also been active on the social media circuit.

source:http://www.firstpost.com

Bangalore, May 1:

Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said in an interview to a news channel on Wednesday that the people of the state still supported him more than anybody else.

The leader, who joined the Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP), said he was disappointed to see that other accused people in the BJP continued in high offices in the BJP government in the state while it was only him who had been accused of corruption. He was particularly critical of the Deputy Chief Minister, K Eswarappa. He said he had no concern about the BJP and was still in a powerful position in the state politics after leaving the saffron party.

Yeddyurappa said he is particularly concerned about the well-being of the farmers and those from the backward sections in the state. He said the current chief minister Jagadish Shettar couldn't manage things properly and he would provide better conditions to the people.

Yeddyurappa said it would not be possible to form the state government in Karnataka without his support. Karnataka is go going to the assembly polls on May 5 and it is believed that the exit of Yeddyurappa, a Lingayat strongman who was forced to quit the CM's post owing to corruption charges, could give a blow to the ruling BJP. The party has been routed in the recent urban local body polls. The election results will be announced on May 8.

source:http://news.oneindia.in