Karnataka's big battle: Ex-CM vs wannabe CM

Bangalore: It’s a battle within the battle. As Karnataka goes to polls for Phase 2 on Friday, all eyes are on Shikaripura in Shimoga district of Karnataka.





The results of this constituency will be closely watched as former Congress strongman and one time chief minister S Bangarappa of SP is taking on BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa.





For Bangrappa, this is an opportunity to revive a flagging political career. With the Congress and the JD(S) backing him, Bangrappa hopes he’ll become a rallying point for the anti-BJP forces in the state. The 75-year-old flombayont leader has won 11 elections in the region since 1967.





"Everybody thinks that he (Yeddyurappa) is a powerful leader. If I defeat him, I will become a more powerful leader,” he says.



Faced with a formidable rival, Yeddyurappa isn't taking any chances either. He isn't ready to forget the bitter experience of 1999 when Bangarappa's handpicked candidate defeated him.

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