How the two CM contenders campaigned on the last day

The hard fought campaign for Karnataka ended on Thursday. The two contenders for the post of Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah and Yeddyurappa ended their final leg of their campaigns on their home turf. Siddaramaiah and Yeddyurappa are contesting from Chamundeshwari and Shikharipura. The Karnataka CM has also chosen Badami which many say is a safe seat for him. While Siddaramaiah made his final pitch at Chamundeshwari, Yeddyurappa blew the final clarion call at Shikharipura.

As expected the fan following was huge. Siddaramaiah made the final pitch by telling voters that he was sorry that he could come here earlier. I was away in other parts of the state. I trust you people, this place is not new to me Siddaramaiah who has won Chamundeshwari five times said. He signed off by saying, " I am winning, I will become the CM again with your blessings.

Yeddyurappa on the other hand was at Badami on Thursday morning along with Amit Shah who held a road show in support of B Sriramulu. Yeddyurappa arrived to a huge gathering at Shikharipura by around 3.30 pm. He headed to a temple, offered prayers and then hit the campaign trail. He was greeted by a huge number of followers who chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai and BSY, BSY.

While Yeddyurappa is in a comfortable position, the same cannot be said about Siddaramaiah at Chamundeshwari. He has accused the BJP and JD(S) of tying up to defeat him. He is up against the very strong G T Deve Gowda of the JD(S) who holds the seat.

Congress workers say that the fight for Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari is not very easy. Gowda enjoys the support of the Vokkaligas and the people have said many times that they are happy with the work he has done. Siddaramaiah would bag some of the Vokkaliga votes and would hope that the Dalits vote him into power. An incident that took place at the Kattur village did please the CM though. Many Gowda supporters shouted slogans in favour of the JD(S) and it was learnt that they were Dalits.

In the final leg of his campaign at Sindhuvalli village, Siddaramaiah wound up his campaign by playing the Dalit card. The Dalits who are in majority in this place were told to think about the 2019 elections. They (BJP) are trying to change the Constitution. I know all of you will not let that happen, he also said.

Meanwhile in Yeddyurappa's constituency the voter has no doubt that they would elect him. They praise the work he has done and also see hope that he would become the CM. He has worked for the constituency when both when he was CM and while he was not. The battle for him is against Malatesh of the Congress, who many say is no match for B S Yeddyurappa.