Summary:
Now, the Congress’ calculation is that if it can attract a chunk of Lingayat votes, it can dent the BJP’s tally and win the polls. Dalits account for 24% votes, followed by Muslims 16% and other backward classes (OBC) 40%.The Lingayat votes is the key in the constituency. Apart from this, all other communities are expected to vote for the Congress for its secular ideology,” Khandre said. The Congress managed to win by fielding backward classes leader Dharam Singh in 2009. However, Singh was trounced by a relatively unknown Lingayat leader, Bhagawant Khuba, in 2014.“In the first polls after it became a general seat in 2009, Bidar elected Dharam Singh considering his stature as the former chief minister..