Bangalore: As the first phase of polling wraps up, focus shifts to the second phase scheduled for April 26 (Friday), which sees voters in 89 Lok Sabha constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories heading to the polls. Karnataka plays a significant role in this phase, with 14 of its constituencies involved.
The key constituencies in Karnataka include Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Mandya, and Mysore. In the 2019 elections, the BJP captured 25 of Karnataka’s 28 seats. In the current contest, the BJP is fielding candidates in 25 seats, while its ally, the JDS, is contesting the remaining 3 — Hassan, Mandya, and Kolar, all of which vote in this phase.
Among the constituencies to watch is Bangalore South, where incumbent Tejasvi Surya faces a challenge from Soumya Reddy, daughter of state minister Ramalinga Reddy. Soumya narrowly lost the 2023 assembly election in Jayanagar by just 16 votes. In Mysuru, royal scion Yaduveer Wadiyar is contesting, taking over from the sitting MP Pratap Simha.
The full list of constituencies in Karnataka voting in Phase 2 includes: Udupi-Chikamagalur, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Chikballapur, and Kolar.