Sun Nov 10 11:35:55 UTC 2024: ## Channapatna By-Election: A Tight Race Between Vokkaliga Candidates
**Bengaluru, November 10, 2024** – The Channapatna by-election is shaping up to be a close contest between two Vokkaliga candidates, with both the Congress and the JD(S) vying for the support of backward classes and Muslim voters.
The Congress candidate, four-time legislator C.P. Yogeshwar, is locked in a tense battle with the NDA candidate, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is attempting to win his third election. While the Vokkaliga community holds a strong political influence in the region, the outcome is likely to hinge on the mobilization of votes from other communities, particularly backward classes and Muslims.
The JD(S), now part of the BJP-led NDA, is seeking to retain its Vokkaliga base and attract votes from the backward classes. They are also relying on the BJP’s support in the region, with several BJP leaders actively campaigning for the JD(S) candidate. The Congress, on the other hand, is attempting to expand its reach within the Vokkaliga community and garner Muslim votes.
The movement of Muslim voters, who supported the JD(S) in previous elections, is being closely watched. The JD(S)’s alliance with the BJP seems to have alienated some Muslim voters, while the Congress is working to solidify its position within the community.
The election is expected to be fiercely contested, with both parties deploying their resources and influential leaders to sway voters. The outcome will depend on the success of each party’s efforts to mobilize their respective support bases and capture the crucial votes of the backward classes and Muslims.
First Piper 