As the Karnataka byelection draws near, the Sandur constituency in Ballari district is witnessing a high-stakes showdown, not only between political parties but between powerful figures with deep local influence. This byelection, scheduled for November 13, has turned into a “proxy war” between Congress stalwart Santosh Lad and BJP’s controversial mining baron, Gali Janardhana Reddy. Their respective candidates, E. Annapurna (Congress) and Bangaru Hanumantha (BJP), stand at the center of this intensifying political contest in one of Karnataka’s mineral-rich regions.
The byelection was necessitated by the resignation of former Congress MLA E. Tukaram, who moved to the Lok Sabha representing Ballari. His wife, E. Annapurna, has stepped up as the Congress candidate, continuing her family’s association with Sandur, a constituency that has been a Congress bastion since 1957. Out of 16 elections held here since then, the Congress has claimed victory in 14, a dominance that dates back to H. Rayana Gouda’s first Congress win.
Despite this history, the race has grown fierce with Reddy’s strategic entry into the BJP campaign. Known for his mining empire and associated legal controversies, Reddy was previously barred from entering Ballari due to illegal mining cases. However, a recent Supreme Court decision allowed him back into the region just in time to bolster BJP’s campaign. His comeback has complicated what initially appeared to be a straightforward race for the Congress, turning the competition into an unpredictable duel.
Demographics and Voting Dynamics
Sandur’s constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and has a diverse voter base, with the Valmiki (Beda/Naik) community comprising the largest group at approximately 65,000 voters, followed by Scheduled Castes (SC) with 40,000, Lingayats with 35,000, Kurubas with 30,000, and Muslims with around 15,000. Both candidates, Annapurna and Hanumantha, belong to the Valmiki community, potentially dividing this large voter base.
The Congress generally commands support among SCs, Kurubas, and Muslims, while the BJP is popular among Lingayats. This caste calculus is crucial, as both parties attempt to leverage their influence among these groups to secure an edge.
The “Outsider” Factor
The BJP’s selection of Bangaru Hanumantha, who hails from Kudligi, a neighboring region, has given Congress an opportunity to label him as an “outsider.” Congress has underscored Hanumantha’s lack of roots in Sandur, positioning itself as the local choice for voters. Although Congress initially faced internal resistance regarding Annapurna’s nomination from K.S. Diwakar, a prominent local leader, Diwakar was eventually pacified with a position as secretary in the state party unit. His supporters, however, argue that his established local network could have strengthened Congress’s hold on the constituency.
Mining’s Shadow Over the Campaign
Despite Sandur’s notoriety for mining and the environmental and social issues it has caused, these concerns have remained largely sidelined in the campaign. Although Santosh Lad has occasionally targeted Reddy by highlighting the illegal mining cases linked to him, it hasn’t emerged as a defining election issue.
The region has long suffered from mining-related challenges, including environmental degradation and disrupted livelihoods, but neither party has placed these at the center of its campaign. Instead, Congress has focused on its government’s welfare programs, known as guarantee schemes, while BJP has focused its attacks on alleged corruption within the Congress government, referencing issues like the MUDA land allocation controversy, Valmiki corporation ‘scam,’ and the recent waqf land issue that has stirred anti-minority sentiment.
A Battle Beyond Sandur
While this byelection determines who will represent Sandur, it is also a proving ground for both Santosh Lad and Janardhana Reddy. For Lad, who has a stronghold in Sandur, the election is a chance to reaffirm Congress’s dominance in the region. For Reddy, the byelection represents an opportunity to reestablish his influence after years of legal battles and restrictions.
The outcome of this byelection will likely have lasting implications, not only for Sandur’s future but for the broader political landscape in Karnataka. With caste alliances, political loyalties, and influential backers on both sides, Sandur’s byelection has turned into a defining battle for power in Karnataka’s mineral heartland. The outcome on November 13 could shape the future of the state’s political dynamics, and all eyes are now on Sandur as it heads to the polls.