Karnataka Politics, like that of most south-Indian states, is characterized by the presence of regional parties. Further, Karnataka Politics is largely driven by issues surrounding caste, creed, and language. There are approximately 7 regional political parties in the state, apart from the presence of some national parties like the BJP and the Congress.
Driven mostly by the success of Bangalore as a global IT destination, Karnataka has emerged as a major economic power and resource generator of the country. As a result, Karnataka Politics, which was largely considered regional, has gained pre-dominance and it stimulates considerable analysis by the masses and the media. Although Karnataka Politics has had a checkered and long history and has undergone several upheavals, it is usually stable in the present-day milieu.
Assembly and Lok Sabha Constituencies
Karnataka Politics is based on as many as 225 constituencies. Among these, Aurad, Hanur, Bhatkal, Jagalur, Channagiri, Kushtagi, Malur, Mandya, Puttur, Karwar, and Vemgal are quite well-known. The Lok Sabha Constituencies in Karnataka include major names such as Kolar, Chikmagalur, Koppal, Shimoga, and Udupi.
Karnataka Political Parties
National political parties don't have a major role to play in Karnataka Politics. It is rather the stronghold of powerful regional parties. A brief profile of the main Karnataka Political Parties involved in Karnataka Politics is provided below:
- Coorg National Council - The general secretary of the party is Mr. N. U. Nachappa.
- Kannad Chalavali Vatal Paksha - headed by Mr. Vatal Nagaraj
- Karnataka Congress Party - It was formed in 1994, after S. Bangarappa left the Congress Party, but KCP later joined the Congress again.
- Karnataka Kranti Ranga - It came into existence in 1978 after it broke away from the Congress party and was headed by D. Devaraj Urs. It had briefly joined hands with the Janata Dal but finally re-united with the Congress in the late 90s.
- Karnataka Vikas Party, Urs Samyuktha Paksha, and Maharastra Ekikaran Samithi are some other local political parties in Karnataka Politics that have been able to sustain themselves either independently or through coalitions.
The Janata Dal's success in national politics has influenced its performance in Karnataka Politics where it actually went on to become a major player. Ramakrishna Hegde was instrumental in elevating the position of the Janata Dal to make it a party of national repute. However, it was his opponent H.D. Deve Gowda, who was at that time the Karnataka Chief Minister, who became the Indian Prime Minister in 1996-97. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress have also had varying degrees of success in dabbling with Karnataka Politics.
Caste rivalry is a salient feature of Karnataka Politics. Anti-Tamil and anti-Hindi uprisings were endemic to Karnataka Politics in the 1960s and continued till the late 70s as well. The Lingayats and the Vokkaligas, for example, are 2 major castes that are involved in Karnataka Politics.
These days, however, Karnataka Politics is mostly in the news for the Kaveri water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Nonetheless, Karnataka Politics is a dynamic scenario and holds a place of significant importance.
For more information regarding Karnataka Politics,click on the below links:
- National Parties
- Regional Parties
