BELAGAVI: With barely a week to go for the bypolls, the ruling BJP has reason to worry as it isn’t sure whether anger among farmers against the disqualified MLAs in the flood-affected districts in

will have an impact on its prospects.

When

TOI

visited these areas in Belagavi, the anger in the agrarian community was palpable. The ruling party is worried that it could have a serious impact on their electoral fortunes.

Many villages in Athani, Kagwad,

and Hirekerur assembly constituencies were hit by unprecedented floods in July and the victims have been openly expressing their anguish against the government and the BJP candidates for not responding their problems.

Around 22 districts were affected by the floods and lakhs of people lost houses, standing crops and their livelihoods. The government pegged the loss at a staggering Rs 32,000 crore. It also announced Rs 5 lakh for victims whose houses were completely damaged and Rs 2 lakh those whose houses were partially damaged. The government also provided Rs 10,000 as immediate relief.

However, victims are yet to receive compensation for crop losses. In Athani, where 26 villages on the banks of the Krishna river were affected, flood victims have been aggressively questioning disqualified MLA and BJP candidate Mahesh Kumatalli for his failure to secure compensation for them. Moreover, Kumatalli was away from the constituency when floods hit the constituency.

On Wednesday, flood victims locked zilla panchayat member Siddappa Mudukannavar in a shed in Zunzharawad village for over two hours in protest against the delay in disbursing compensation. Mudukannavar had visited the village to seek votes for Kumatalli. In Kagwad too, BJP candidate Shrimant Patil had to face the wrath of flood victims in many villages including Ugar, Kusunal, Jugul, Krishna

and Ainapur.

“It’s not that the government has not given compensation, but people are angry with Patil and Kumatalli as they were not available in the constituency when the flood hit,” said Shankar of Mole village in Kagwad.

Is this anger so deep that it will affect poll prospects of the BJP? Opinions are divided. “If we look at developments in the last two days, it appears flood relief is becoming a poll issue in Athani,” said Shivanand, a resident.

But Ashok Chandaragi, a social activist in Belagavi thinks otherwise. “Anger over lack of compensation will have no effect on the bypolls for two reasons: One, flood victims form just 10% of the electorate. Second, there is no unity or leadership to channelise this anger to vote against or for any particular party,” he said.

Many think the victims are venting their anger out of frustration. “Their anger is genuine and they are finding an opportunity in the bypolls to remind the government of its failure,” said Vivekrao of Kagwad town.