Strengths and Weaknesses of Parties in Karnataka Assembly Elections

May 9, 2018

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STRENGTHS

Siddaramaiah has emerged as a powerful leader with no opponents.
The CM’s welfare schemes, Anna Bhagya, Arogya Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Indira Canteens have been a big success.
Invoking Kannada pride and supporting the move of the state to have its own flag won him brownie points.
The Amit Shah of Karnataka, the CM has successfully stitched together a social coalition — Ahinda (comprising backwards), Dalits and Muslims. He has tried to expand the base with his outreach to Lingayats.

WEAKNESSES

Anti-Incumbency, lack of coordination between government and party
Corruption charges against senior ministers
Too many camps and factionalism in the Congress
Presence of former PM H D Deve Gowda’s JD(S) as a possible spoiler in some parts.

STRENGTHS

Projection of B S Yeddyurappa as CM candidate.
A Lingayat face, the community may back Yeddyurappa.
Stronger cadre presence; Allied saffron outfits can help by exploiting any unrest against “appeasement” Appeal of PM Modi.

WEAKNESSES

Corruption charge against Yeddyurappa; Congress calls him a “jailbird”.
Factionalism between Yeddyurappa and KS Eshwarappa. Both hail from Shivamogga district.
Has a weak and thin social base
Over reliance on Modi.

STRENGTHS

Former PM HD Deve Gowda is today a spent force. But he still has the staunch support of fellow Vokkaligas and is a formidable force in the Old Mysore region.
His son and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is popular especially in rural areas and among the working class in the unorganised sector.
Party’s alliance with BSP and Left parties.
Efforts are on to rope in Telugu superstar Pavan Kalyan for campaigning which may increase party’s appeal among young voters.
Party has been successful in evoking regional sentiments and it might appeal to a section of the electorate.
The ‘left out’ feeling among Vokkaligas may help the party to consolidate its position in the Old Mysuru region.

WEAKNESSES