The elections to the ULBs or urban local bodies have come as a blessing in disguise to all political parties in different ways. Though reluctant to face the elections initially, the parties finally reconciled with the reality and have fielded the candidates.
Top leaders of all the parties who visited the region admitted that the elections would help them guage the mood of the electorate and identify the strength and weakness of their own party and make amends before the elections to assembly.
While the BJP was not clear of the impact the KJP would have on the prospects of its candidates in the assembly elections, the ULB elections would make known KJP's influence on voters. Similarly, the BJP would also come to know the role of the fence-sitting ministers presently in the BJP but have allegiance to KJP leader Yeddyurappa in the ULB elections.
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar told Business Standard, the elections have come as a boon in disguise. "The elections will show the mood of the voters and the impact of BJP's development works on the psyche of the voters. This will also show the position of other rival parties including those formed by the splinter groups," he said. "There is a feeling among the people that the KJP would eat into BJP's vote bank and spoil the chances of BJP. This myth will be exposed during the ULB polls. That will help boost the morale of BJP," he said.
BJP leaders who have taken a practical view say that the results of ULB elections will help the BJP tie up the loose ends by identifying the weak points and get ready for assembly polls.
KJP president B S Yeddyurappa said, though the election to the ULB would show the strength of KJP. "This is fillip enough for KJP workers and those intending to join KJP to take the BJP head on," he said. The Congress banking on split in BJP is dreaming of forming the government. "The ULB polls will show if the Congress is right in its approach," said a senior party leader.
For Janata Dal (S) which is trying hard to gain a foothold in North Karnataka, the ULB elections will help test its popularity among the voters.
The BSR Congress will also know where it stands.
