New Delhi: Several high profile 'tainted' people are also trying their luck in the Lok Sabha elections. From the South, three such names stand out.
YSR Congress Party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy from Andhra Pradesh, former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurrappa from Shimoga and the infamous Bellary Reddy brothers close confidante B Sriramulu from Bellary are trying to prove that they have mass support.
Andhra Pradesh:
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is not contesting in the Lok Sabha elections. He is contesting in the Assembly elections, hoping to be the first chief minister of divided Andhra Pradesh. But, all YSR Congress candidates contesting from 25 Lok Sabha seats are hoping to win on Jagan Mohan Reddy's popularity.
As a seasoned political analyst says, "There is no party called YSRCP. Jagan himself is the party. He knows that the people will vote for him in the memory of his late father and AP CM Dr YSR Reddy. Actually, Jagan is the candidate in all 25 Lok Sabha seats."
The divided Andhra has 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 Assembly seats. Telangana has 17 Lok Sabha seats and 119 Assembly seats. But, Jagan is focusing mainly on AP. His strident opposition the creation of Telangana has made him a big hero in AP and he is trying to exploit the sentiments.
Jagan Mohan Reddy was in jail for 16 months as prime accused in a disproportionate assets case. He was released on bail only in the last September. He is accused of amassing a huge wealth during his father's tenure as the CM between 2004-2009.
But the majority in AP feels that the law was selectively used against him just because he dared to challenge Congress President Sonia Gandhi and formed his own political party, the YSRCP.
As veteran journalist P Sainath says whether Jagan is corrupt or not the issue for most people. They have to choose between a 'big thief, small thief and a good thief '. Here Jagan is being seen as a 'good thief'.
People argue that all are corrupt in politics and Jagan was unfairly targeted. They feel that he was at least forced to spend 16 months in jail for the alleged corruption. They ask - "What about the others? Have they gone to jail even for a day?"
Most of the pre-poll surveys are also predicting Jagan's victory in both state Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. He has got top ratings. His main rival TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is fighting a 'do or die' battle this time. Naidu has been out of power for the past 10 years. His support base is also dwindling. If he loses this election, it will be very difficult for him to survive in AP, which may go to a very hostile Jagan.
He is attacking Jagan and calling him corrupt. Jagan is also hitting back at him calling him the most corrupt, who always got away by 'managing' the institutions and other political parties.
According to a political analyst, both Narendra Modi and Jagan Mohan Reddy must win in this election. Otherwise, they will be the biggest losers. AP is going to polls on May 7 in a single phase.
Karnataka
In neighbouring Karnataka, former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa is contesting from his stronghold Shimoga. His son and sitting BJP MP BY Raghavendra has vacated the seat for his father. Yeddyurappa is also facing serious charges of corruption.
But local reports suggest that his alleged corruption is not at all an issue in Shimoga. In Shimoga, he is known as somebody who has done a lot of developmental work for his hometown during his tenure as chief minister. The opposition Congress and the JDS are raising his corruption issues, but they are unlikely have an impact on the outcome of elections.
What is working in favour of Jagan in AP is also working in favour of Yeddyurappa in Shimoga. A local resident says, "We know that Yeddyurappa has made huge money. But, he has done something good for his district. He is highly accessible and generous. He has a good heart. Who does not make money in politics? Why are these opposition people and the media singling him out?"
It echoes the sentiments of many other voters.
Kannada thespian Rajkumar always stayed away from politics. Even after his death his family maintained a distance from politics. His family is making a political debut this time. Rajkumar's daughter in law and his eldest son Kannada hero Shivarajkumar's wife Geetha Shivarajkumar is taking on BS Yeddyurappa on the JDS ticket. She is the daughter of former Karnataka chief minister S Bangarappa.
Bangarappa was the undisputed leader of Shimoga till his death in December 2011. But, Bangarappa's family members don't have the same mass appeal. Many Rajkumar fans are also unhappy with Geetha for joining the politics.
But local analysts feel that Yeddyurappa has no real threat and he will easily win the seat. The ruling Congress has fielded an 'outsider' Manjunatha Bhandari against Yeddyurappa. He is unknown in the constituency. Bangarappa's eldest son and former minister Kumar Bangarappa has revolted against the Congress for denying him the ticket. It is likely to cost the Congress dearly.
B Sriramulu
Despite top BJP leader Sushma Swaraj's open revolt, the BJP has fielded B Sriramulu from Bellary. He is a close confidante of jailed illegal mining baron G Janardhana Reddy. Sriramulu was a minister in the state and his younger sister J Shantha was the BJP MP from Bellary in 2009.
Sriramulu is very popular figure in Bellary. He is a tribal and has a mass appeal. But the Bellary Reddys have now become hate figures in the constituiency and it may go against him. Many in the local BJP are also not happy with his return.
Sriramulu is facing Justice NY Hanumanthappa of the Congress, who lost the Bellary Lok Sabha seat in 2009 by just 2000 votes. He was the chief justice of Orissa High Court.
According poll pundits Reddys' mining 'taint' and reputation may cost him dearly this time. Karnataka is going to polls on April 17 in a single phase.
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