Karnataka Polls: Can BJP's Ashoka Breach Shivakumar's Fortress Kanakapura?

In a surprise move, BJP fielded senior party leader and Minister R Ashoka, who is considered to be its Vokkaliga face, against Congress' Vokkaliga strong man Shivakumar in his home turf, which is the community's strong hold.

Seven-time MLA Shivakumar has been elected thrice from Karnakapura since 2008 and is now seeking a re-election for the fourth time here. He had earlier won four consecutive elections since 1989 from the nearby Sathanur till he shifted to the Kanakapura in 2008.

Ashoka beleives his candidacy has resulted in an election contest, in its true sense, taking place for the first time in the region, after nearly two decades, and there is a strong undercurrent against Shivakumar, and in favour of BJP.

Before Shivakumar's arrival into Kanakapura's political scene, the constituency was a stronghold of Janata Party/Janata Dal. The 2018 polls is said to be BJP's "best ever performance" in Kanakapura segment with its candidate Nandini Gowda securing 6,273 votes. In 2013, the party had got 1,807 votes.