K’taka elections: Incumbent Bopaiah stares at tough poll challenge

In the upcoming Karnataka state elections, the Virajpet assembly constituency in Kodagu will see a tough fight between Congress candidate A S Ponnanna and BJP’s K G Bopaiah, who has held the seat since 2008. Both candidates are using social media to reach voters, with BJP leaders raising concerns about Ponnanna’s residency and his father’s “anti-Hindu stand”. Congress leaders have countered that “the son should not be held responsible for his father?s comments”. The constituency is divided between Kodava and non-Kodava people, with some Kodava groups campaigning for a Kodava candidate.