Madhu Bangarappa fought against BJP's BY Raghavendra in the recently-held Lok Sabha by-election in Karnataka. Though BJP won the seat, Madhu Bangarappa of the JD(S) has been appreciated for narrowing the gap from 3.6 lakh to 52,148 votes.
Shivamogga: Madhu Bangarappa is likely to be fielded as Lok Sabha candidate from Karnataka's Shivamogga for the 2019 general elections. After narrowing the gap of loss from 3.6 lakh to 52,148 votes in the recently-held Shivamogga Lok Sabha by-election in Karnataka, JD(S)-Congress coalition claimed this outcome as a moral victory and sources say that the party would like to reward him by making him minister and Shivamogga affairs in-charge.
Sources in JD(S) say, joining hands with Congress has actually helped the party's prospects in Shivamogga, which is BJP's bastion for now.
"Madhu Bangarappa's image has improved here drastically. He has the backing from all the section in Shivamogga. The seniors in the party are contemplating making him a minister along with additional charge as Shivamogga district in-charge. This way, he can take control over Yeddyurappa and BJP's clout," said a senior JD(S) leader.
Although BJP's BY Raghavendra has an advantage here as BJP has a strong network of cadres, Madhu Bangarappa can hope to see a better political future as this result has served as the silver lining.
Assembly constituencies like Byandoor, Sagar, Soraba, which hardly gives 2,000 votes to JD(S), this time gave over 50,000 votes.
To signal to his opponent that he is ready to take the challenge in 2019 Lok Sabha, Madhu will kick start his thanksgiving yatra from Byandoor MLA seat, which voted in favour of JD(S).
"We used to get hardly 2,000 votes, but this time, JD(S) got 54,000 votes here and this is same with Sagar and Soraba MLA seat. With support from Congress, JD(S) got over 60,000 votes from these sections. If I work hard in Bhadravathi, Shikaripura, Tirthahalli, Shivamogga city and rural, I can have an edge. If I can make this change in just 13 days, I can surely make a difference next time," said Madhu Bangarappa.
When questioned about JD(S)-Congress government planning to make him minister and Shivamogga district in-charge, Madhu Bangarappa said he has no intention of becoming a minister as has the backing of chief minister himself.
"I can become a minister gaining entry as MLC, but that will be like a backdoor entry. I will deny this offer even if senior party leaders insist. My first aim is to thank my voters. I will start my tour from Byandoor and tour for four days covering Sagar, Soraba and after a gap of a few days will cover rest of the segments," said Madhu Bangarappa.
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