“Karnataka Lok Sabha Election Phase 2: Key Battlegrounds and Candidates in Focus”

As Karnataka gears up for the second phase of polling in the Lok Sabha elections, attention is keenly focused on pivotal constituencies such as Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Mandya, and Mysore.

Following the culmination of the initial phase of voting, all eyes are now on Phase 2, encompassing 89 Lok Sabha seats across 13 states and Union Territories, with Karnataka’s 14 constituencies slated to cast their votes on April 26.

In the political landscape of Karnataka, which boasts 28 seats in total, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in 25 seats during the 2019 elections.

This time around, the BJP is contesting in 25 seats, with its state ally, the Janata Dal (Secular) or JDS, vying for the remaining three seats.

Notably, all three constituencies contested by the JDS fall within the ambit of the second phase – namely, Hassan, Mandya, and Kolar.

Among the constituencies garnering significant attention are Bangalore South and Mysuru.

In Bangalore South, Tejasvi Surya, the incumbent Member of Parliament, seeks reelection.

He faces a formidable challenge from Soumya Reddy, the daughter of state minister Ramalinga Reddy. Soumya Reddy’s candidacy gains added intrigue as she narrowly lost the 2023 assembly election in Jayanagar by a mere 16 votes, indicating a closely contested race in Bangalore South.

In Mysuru, another crucial constituency, the spotlight falls on Yaduveer Wadiyar, the royal scion, who steps into the political arena, replacing the sitting MP Pratap Simha.

Wadiyar’s entry adds a layer of historic significance to the electoral contest in Mysuru, as he vies for the mandate from the electorate.

As Karnataka braces for Phase 2 of the Lok Sabha elections, the battle lines are drawn, and the electorate eagerly awaits the outcome in these key battleground constituencies, which hold the potential to shape the state’s political trajectory in the coming years.

LIST OF CONSTITUENCIES GOING TO POLLS IN PHASE-2

• Udupi Chikamagalur
• Hassan
• Dakshina Kannada
• Chitradurga
• Tumkur
• Mandya
• Mysore
• Chamarajanagar
• Bangalore Rural
• Bangalore North
• Bangalore Central
• Bangalore South
• Chikballapur
• Kolar