Bypolls see leaders perfecting their ‘caste maths’ skills

Wooing communities is the most visible form of campaign in Sindgi and Hangal

It is no secret that caste calculations play a dominant role every step of the way in elections, starting with candidate selection to wooing voters. But the byelections to Sindgi and Hangal Assembly constituencies have elevated this to a new high. Wooing various castes is the most visible form of campaign in both the segments, while leaders are in the same breath also blaming others of being “casteist”.

At the very start of the process, in the Lingayat-dominant Hangal segment, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had to personally rush to Davangere to ensure withdrawal of the candidature of a former bureaucrat from the dominant Panchamasali sect.