Karnataka assembly elections: Congress looks to maximum caste equation through distribution of tickets

Congress is trying to create caste equation in ticket distribution for Karnataka assembly elections. The Congress has so far announced its 165 candidates for the elections to the 224-member assembly. In the list of Congress, 30 and 24 candidates have been included from Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities respectively. These communities are considered to have a significant influence in the state.

However, the Congress is struggling to woo the Veerashaiva-Lingayats, who are demanding a higher share in the allocation of tickets. The Congress has not yet announced candidates for the remaining 58 seats. Meanwhile, various Lingayat lobbies have put pressure on the Congress through letters and memorandums.

In 2018, during the Lingayat agitation for a separate religion, the Congress had fielded 42 candidates from the community. The movement had the support of Congress members. Now with the Panchamasali Lingayat movement, the Lingayat community is hoping that the number of its candidates will increase. However, this does not appear likely.