Congress Wins Karnataka Bypolls—Welfare Schemes the Game-Changer?

The recent bypoll elections in Karnataka, held on November 13, 2024, have resulted in a significant victory for the Indian National Congress (INC), which successfully captured all three contested assembly seats: Channapatna, Shiggaon, and Sandur. This outcome is particularly noteworthy as it reflects a shift in voter sentiment, with Congress candidates C.P. Yogeshwara, Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, and E. Annapurna defeating their respective opponents from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)).

The elections were necessitated by the resignation of the previous representatives who were elected to the Lok Sabha earlier in the year. The results have increased Congress’s strength in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly to 137 seats, marking a notable recovery from its previous performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where it secured only one seat in the state.

The bypolls were characterized by high voter turnout, particularly in Channapatna, which recorded an impressive 88.81%. The Congress’s success has been attributed to its effective campaigning around welfare schemes, particularly appealing to women voters, and the perceived failures of the BJP-JD(S) alliance to resonate with the electorate.

The defeats of prominent candidates, including Nikhil Kumaraswamy of JD(S) and Bharath Bommai of BJP, underscore the shifting political landscape in Karnataka, where the Congress aims to consolidate its position ahead of future elections.

Jargon

bypoll: Short for by-election, this is an election held to fill a vacancy that arises in a legislative body between general elections.
guarantees: Refers to the welfare schemes promised by the Congress party in Karnataka, aimed at providing financial support and services to various demographics, particularly women and the unemployed.
Vokkaliga: A prominent agricultural community in Karnataka, traditionally associated with the JD(S) party.

Viewpoints 💭

‘Left’ Viewpoint

Ideological Differences

‘Right’ Viewpoint

The Congress’s victory in the Karnataka bypolls is seen as a validation of its welfare schemes and leadership under Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar, which resonated with voters, particularly women.
The left views the BJP-JD(S) alliance’s focus on controversies and alleged corruption as ineffective, failing to address the real issues concerning the electorate.
The Congress’s success is attributed to its ability to overcome anti-incumbency and the diminishing influence of political dynasties, as seen in the defeats of Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Bharath Bommai.
The left interprets the high voter turnout as a sign of public endorsement for Congress’s governance and its focus on development and social welfare.
The Congress’s victory is seen as a rejection of the BJP’s divisive politics and an endorsement of secular and inclusive governance.

The left emphasizes the success of Congress’s welfare schemes, viewing them as essential for social equity, while the right criticizes these schemes as financially unsustainable and politically motivated.
The left sees the high voter turnout as a democratic endorsement of Congress’s secular and inclusive policies, whereas the right interprets it as a reaction to local issues rather than a broader ideological shift.
The left attributes the Congress’s victory to its focus on development and social welfare, contrasting with the right’s view that the BJP’s focus on national issues and Hindutva was not effectively communicated.
The left views the defeat of political dynasties as a positive move towards merit-based politics, while the right sees it as a temporary setback for established political families who can still play a significant role in future elections.
The left interprets the Congress’s success as a rejection of divisive politics, while the right argues that the results reflect regional and caste-based voting patterns rather than a wholesale rejection of their ideology.

The BJP attributes its loss in the Karnataka bypolls to the Congress’s use of power and money, alleging that welfare schemes were used as a tool to influence voters.
The right criticizes the Congress for alleged misuse of government resources and accuses it of corruption, which they claim was overlooked by the electorate.
The BJP views the bypoll results as a temporary setback, emphasizing the need to strengthen its grassroots presence and address internal party dynamics.
The right sees the Congress’s victory as a result of regional dynamics and caste-based politics, rather than a genuine shift in voter ideology.
The BJP-JD(S) alliance believes that the Congress’s success is not sustainable in the long term, as it relies heavily on populist measures rather than substantive governance.

Prominent Voices 📣

From the ‘Left’

From the ‘Right’

C.P. Yogeshwar (Congress candidate for Channapatna): Celebrated his victory as a significant achievement against Nikhil Kumaraswamy, enhancing his political stature. ¹
Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan (Congress candidate for Shiggaon): Expressed satisfaction over defeating Bharath Bommai, highlighting the shift in voter sentiment. ¹
E. Annapurna (Congress candidate for Sandur): Acknowledged the support from voters, attributing her win to effective campaigning and party support. ¹
D.K. Shivakumar (KPCC chief and Deputy Chief Minister): Viewed the victory as a personal and political triumph, strengthening his position within the party. ¹ ²
Siddaramaiah (Chief Minister of Karnataka): The by-poll victory is a testament to the effective leadership and popular government schemes. ³ ⁴

Priyanka Gandhi (Congress General Secretary): Expressed confidence in Congress’s performance in Karnataka, highlighting the party’s strong presence in the state. ⁵ ⁶
Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress President): Acknowledged the Congress’s improved performance but noted the need for further efforts to meet party expectations. ⁷ ⁸
Rahul Gandhi (Senior Congress Leader): Emphasized the protection of the Constitution and the poor in response to BJP’s narrative. ⁸ ⁹

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Bharath Bommai (BJP politician and son of former CM Basavaraj Bommai): The loss in Shiggaon is a learning experience and highlights the need for strategic adjustments. ³
Basavaraj Bommai (Former Chief Minister of Karnataka): Expressed concerns over Congress’ influence on the counting process but remained hopeful about his son Bharat’s prospects. ¹⁰ ⁷
Bangaru Hanumantha (BJP candidate): Accepted the defeat but accused Congress of using financial incentives to win votes, and expressed optimism for future elections. ¹¹
B.Y. Vijayendra (BJP State President): Expressed the challenge of maintaining the BJP’s previous electoral success. ¹²
Tejasvi Surya (BJP leader): Leading in Bangalore South, reinforcing BJP’s urban appeal. ¹³ ¹⁴