THE BIGGIES’ BIG BATTLES

Ever since JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda’s son Kumaraswamy formed a coalition with the BJP in 2006, Karnataka ceased to be a politically sedate state. The next eight years saw only political turmoil which did not end even with the Congress victory in the ass

BS YEDDYURAPPA, BJP

AT STAKE His unchallenged hold over the Lingayat caste. If he loses, he will be forced out of the political arena.

AMBITION Regain BJP’s lost vote share and his position. Spend next few years in Delhi until Karnataka goes to polls again.

SCARE Facing Geeta Shivarajkumar of JD(S) in Shimoga. Daughter of former CM, seven-time MLA and four-time MP S Bangarappa and daughter-in-law of late Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar, Shivarajkumar is a formidable rival.

MOOD Panicky

B SRIRAMULU, BJP

AT STAKE His survival in BJP depends on this election. His task is to get seats for BJP in districts adjoining Bellary

AMBITION Post big wins in Karnataka, mend ties with Sushma Swaraj and get at least a junior minister post in Delhi.

SCARE Kharge’s development projects and Siddaramaiah’s consolidation moves are his biggest threats. His finances have taken a hit after the crackdown on illegal mining.

MOOD Cautious

ANANTH KUMAR, BJP

AT STAKE A five-time MP from Bangalore South, he sees himself as de facto state chief. A loss for him and victory for Yeddyurappa will mean loss of face in both Delhi and the state.

AMBITION: He sees this as his best chance to become a minister if Modi becomes PM.

SCARE He won by a slender margin last time and has little to show for five terms in office. Nandan Nilekani may get the votes of the educated elite. Pramod Muthalik has also joined the fray and each vote he gets will be from Kumar’s Hindutva base.

MOOD Panicky

HD DEVE GOWDA, JD(S)

AT STAKE This being his last parliamentary election, JD(S) will cease to be important if he loses.

AMBITION Revive JD(S) by having a role in government formation. He has said he will be a senior minister, the Prime Minister even.

SCARE His staunchest supporters, the Vokkaligas, form only 30% of the electorate. His bête noir Siddaramaiah is focussing on the rest.

MOOD Cautious

SIDDARAMAIAH, CONGRESS

AT STAKE If Congress gets less than 15 seats, he may lose the top job. He hasn’t yet been able to deliver on his promises of legislation against superstition and nationalisation of certain powerful religious ‘maths’.

AMBITION Consolidate the minorities, backwards and Dalit vote-base. Snaffle close to 20 seats. Quell dissent within the party.

SCARE So-called ‘Modi wave’ and return of Yeddyurappa and B Sriramulu may bring BJP back into reckoning.

MOOD Panicky

HD KUMARASWAMY, JD(S)

AT STAKE If he loses in Chikballapur against M Veerappa Moily of Congress, his party will become rudderless.

AMBITION Play kingmaker at the Centre along with his father in the event of a fractured mandate.

SCARE Fighting a triangular battle against Moily and former minister BN Bacche Gowda of BJP. Both his rivals have strong bases.

MOOD Panicky