Bengaluru, 18 April (HS): Eight days are left for the first round of polls in 14 Lok Sabha constituencies of Karnataka as the polling is scheduled for next Friday 26 April. A quick round in a select few constituencies of multiple districts belonging to the old Mysuru region or the Southern Karnataka however fails to give any indication of the trend or pulse of the people!

Voters prefer to remain non-committal! A few decades back scribes enjoyed touring the poll-bound areas to have a glimpse of the emerging trends, busy interacting with all types of people available in public places. Many of them, sitting below a huge tree or sipping tea in small canteens rejoiced voicing their frank opinion over the ongoing polls, but not anymore. These days, thanks to the onslaught of social networking sites and the menace they have created, people prefer to remain non-committal!

Unaware of money: Chikkanna, a farmer of Achhalu village close to Kanakapura preferred to be dragged into a brief conversation after another villager opted to walk out! However, Chikkanna was shrewd enough to maintain a safe distance in expressing his viewpoints. He opined of a big tussle in the Bengaluru Rural constituency following the challenge posed by Dr CN Manjunath, the heart surgeon turned politician and BJP candidate to DK Shivakumar, the incumbent INC MP. When an attempt was made to find out the role of money power, he chose to claim to be unaware of it!

Women deciding factor: Thanks to the five guarantees announced and by and large implemented by the Siddaramaiah-led INC government in the state, the outcome of the poll results looks to be directly dependent upon the stance of the women beneficiaries. Perhaps for the first ever time in any elections so far, governmental measures have come to be discussed in a big way on public platforms. The woman head of the family being given Rs 2,000/- every month and free travel in state-run KSRTC buses have taken the female voters close to the Congress party.

Youngsters in favour of BJP: Rajanna, a banana merchant of Sathanuru politely requested to remove shoes before entering his shop as most of them buy bananas as offerings to the temples, apart from consuming. He shared the memorable experience of his relative being operated on for cardiac ailments by Dr CN Manjunath and refused to be involved in a political discussion. Sreenivasappa, a dry fish pedlar was vocal enough in hinting at the youngsters and first-time voters being proactive in favour of the BJP.

Face Fierce Fight: The present polls look like becoming fiercely fought ones and the situation is no easy cakewalk to either of the main rivals. According to observers, it is feared that money and liquor are expected to flow like water. Apart from the massive campaigns, public meetings and door-to-door visits the previous night’s clandestine activities of distributing alcohol and currency notes would ultimately become a gang changer!

Hindusthan Samachar/Manohar Yadavatti