Yeddyurappa is a five-time legislator from Shikaripura and former chief minister while S Bangarappa has been a three-time parliamentarian from Shimoga under which Shikaripura falls. He has also been the chief minister of Karnataka.
Without a doubt, the two candidates have an impressive record. But what is ironical is that despite having such hot shot candidates, the constituency does not give you a great feel.
Narrow roads with pot holes (or should we say craters) lead you into Shikaripura, which is 60 km from Shimoga. Once inside Shikaripura, a small town, the roads are slightly better.
However, this is restricted only to the main roads. A walk into the villages surrounding Shikaripura gives one the real picture of Shikaripura, which is still a mile away in terms of development.
As we drive into Doddakere village, which is 500 metres from the residence of the former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, work almost comes to a standstill and scores of young boys and girls run behind the car as though they have never seen one before.
It would be better not to mention the state of the roads within the villages -- they are narrow and tar is yet to become a reality. The drains are clogged and it is very evident that there is a lot of work to be done in the area.
The scene at the rest of the villages such as Thimalapura, Shiralakoppa and Kunadahalli falling under the Shikaripura constituency is no different. Residents of these villages say that there are several issues that need to be addressed in Shikaripura, the main one being the roads.
Image: (Above) A BJP campaign on wheels. (Below) A poster of Banagrappa.
Also see: The dullest election in years
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