Karnataka: Will Jayaprakash Hegde contest in Udupi- Chikkamagaluru from Congress?

The Indian National Congress (INC) is attempting to make inroads into the South Canara region for the 2024 Lok Sabha election. This region is considered a fortress for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 

After having handed over the caste census report, Jayaprakash Hegde stepped down from his position as the Chairman of the Karnataka Backward Class Commission. There are speculations that he would re-enter the political battlefield. There are indications that he might fight the Lok Sabha elections with a Congress ticket. 

This may prove to be advantageous for the INC in the Udupi- Chikkamagaluru seat which would be contested by Shobha Karandlaje of the BJP who belongs to the Vokkaliga community. Jayaprakash Hegde’s candidature may help the Congress to consolidate the votes of the Bunt community. A discussion between CM Siddaramiah and leader of the party from the region would take place today. 

The BJP is facing discontentment from the Idiga and Bunt community in this region. This move would hence be the equivalent of killing two birds with one stone. Furthermore Shobha Karandlaje, the current Member of Parliament (MP) has also been facing opposition from various factions of the electorate in this constituency.